Obituary of Sidney (Douglas) Allen

December 16, 1934 - Calgary, Alberta

February 26, 2022 - Calgary, Alberta

Sidney (Douglas) Allen, beloved husband of Wilda Allen (nee Colwell) passed away peacefully on Saturday, February 26, 2022 at his residence at the age of 87. In addition to Wilda, whom he was married to for 64 years, Doug is survived by his three children, John, Robert (Marisa) and Peter (Jennifer); and his four grandchildren, Charlie, Ashley, Sienna and Spencer. Doug was predeceased by his parents, Sidney and Florence Allen.

Born and raised in Calgary, Doug attended Rideau Park and Central Memorial High School, before heading north to University of Alberta, where he met Wilda and many, many, lifelong friends. After graduation, Doug and Wilda went off to London, ON and Ivey Business School, where he would attain his MBA. After graduating from Ivey, Doug and Wilda spent some time in Toronto before returning back to where they considered home, Calgary, and started working for Foster & Associates Consulting.

It didn't take long, however, for Doug to realize that he wanted more say in his destiny, so he teamed up with Don McKinnon and created McKinnon Allen & Associates, an environmental, agriculture and land management company. The firm had a great 35-year run before he finally wound it down and retired.

In retirement, he gained his Skipper’s and Captain's papers and, together with Wilda, sailed up and down the West Coast and down in the Caribbean with their friends. Later, they spent many wonderful winters down in Scottsdale, Arizona hosting many of their friends and family.

Doug’s interests were diverse and numerous. He supported Theatre Calgary, coached hockey, played golf, fished, owned and admired classic cars, was a voracious reader and enjoyed good scotch (actually any scotch). One of his favourite retreats was Moyie Lake, where the family camped and later owned a cabin.

A full day of watersports, fishing, or hiking was habitually capped off with an afternoon cocktail (or two), a tradition that Doug and Wilda started early on and kept throughout their marriage. His true longstanding passion, however, was music. Jazz music. He was involved with Jazz Calgary for many years, helping put on concerts and the annual Calgary Jazz Festival, but what he really wanted to do was play music. He was an accomplished pianist and worked at it diligently.

The first regular band he played with was a Dixieland band with the likes of Big Bob Davidson and Fast Eddy Frey.  Doug also took great pride in his time with Hippocratic Oath, a big band jazz group that performed regularly. His last group was mix of old and new as some of Rob and Peter's friends sat in and played with the "Old Timers".  Over the years, the Allen household was always full of music, especially on Wednesday nights, which was the practice nights, a tradition that was part of the family for over 30 years.

Doug Allen; husband, father, businessman, fisherman, sailor, musician, will be greatly missed.

The family would like to thank Wentworth Manor for the kind, considerate, and excellent care Doug received during his time there.

There will be a private Celebration of Doug’s Life held in his honour. We encourage all to post reminiscences and condolences and view photos at www.mcinnisandholloway.com.  If friends wish to make a memorial tribute in Doug’s memory, it can be directed to Jazz YYC (https://www.jazzyyc.com/donate).

In living memory of Sidney Allen, a tree will be planted in the Ann & Sandy Cross Conservation Area by McInnis & Holloway Funeral Homes, Park Memorial, 5008 Elbow Drive SW, Calgary, AB T2S 2L5, Telephone: 403-243-8200.