It is with heavy hearts that the family announces his passing on February 7, 2022 in Barrie, Ontario at the age of 81 years. Born in Brampton and raised in the village of Bolton, Alan was a devoted husband to the late JoAnne Stubbs (nee Atchison) and loving father of Joseph (Laura), Bonnie (Greg), Jeffrey (Leigh Meghan), Todd (Shelby), and Leigh (Clint). Beloved grandfather to Wesley, Erin, JT, Vanessa, Claire, Theron, Sonia, Kalli, and Samuel, and great grandfather to Marley, Jonah, Beau, and Violet.
Starting in his teenage years, Alan worked several jobs, including delivering parcels for Leggett’s drug store in Bolton. As a young married man, he took a job with Canada Post, beginning as a letter carrier in the 1960s and rising to the position of postmaster at Collingwood Post Office. His later working years were spent at the Reynolds wheel plant in Collingwood, in the stores and paint departments, from which he retired in 2005. Alan was widely respected for his practical intelligence, his tireless work ethic, and his easy way with people. These qualities helped him with his many and various side jobs (and this is not a full list!), including delivering the Toronto Telegram newspaper in Bolton and environs; serving as a host at the Cedar Glen Outdoor Centre in King Township; a stint as caretaker of the Bolton United Church; and running a popular disk jockey business (Al Stubbs “Good Vibrations” Disk Jockey Service) in the Bolton and Collingwood areas from the later 1970s through the 1980s. In his retirement, he very much enjoyed driving a school van for special needs children for Sinton Bus Lines of Barrie.
Despite his staunch commitments to work and family, Alan was a committed sports parent. He found extra time to manage house league hockey in Collingwood in the early 1980s and coached minor rep hockey and baseball, including the Bolton Pee Wee all-star baseball team in the late 1970s, an experience he cherished and reflected on fondly for the rest of his life. A lover of music, even long after retiring from disk jockeying Alan was keen to discover new tunes, especially songs with a good beat that “you could dance to.” Alan was a lifelong devotee of Boston terriers, a breed his father also preferred. Among his many Bostons his last, Angie, was his most beloved.
Alan was predeceased by his parents Albert and Norine (nee Gardner) Stubbs. He was the dear brother of the late Ruth Sadler and late Joan Coulter; he is survived by his older brother, Ronald Stubbs. Alan will be sadly missed by his many nieces, nephews, relatives, and friends.
The family wishes to extend special thanks to Dr. Cohen and staff at Royal Victoria Hospital for their kindness and care. Words of condolence can be made at peacefultransition.ca. Donations can be made in Alan’s name to bostonterrierrescuecanada.com.
Bonnie Button
Posted on: Wednesday, February 9, 2022Al was such a fine man and sure he will be missed by many ❤️ Thinking of you Jeff and family during this difficult loss of your father!
Dave Vanstone
Posted on: Wednesday, February 9, 2022So sorry to hear. My condolences to you all.
Dave
Deb Chapman
Posted on: Wednesday, February 9, 2022We are sorry to hear about your Dad.
Its so hard to lose a parent.
Our sincere sympathy to all of the Stubbs family.
Take care of each other.
Deb and Jim
Sally Sutherland St. Pierre
Posted on: Wednesday, February 9, 2022So sorry to hear of Alan’s passing. My heart goes out to family and friends. RIP Alan
Debora Edgar
Posted on: Thursday, February 10, 2022Sending prayers and hugs. I am so sorry for your loss.
Kelly Pankatz
Posted on: Thursday, February 10, 2022I am so sorry to hear of Alan’s passing. We became friends through Alan’s and JoAnne’s shared love of Boston Terriers. They adopted a number of rescued dogs through Boston Terrier Rescue Canada, and Alan went above and beyond to spoil them, even so far as to design a customized bicycle with trailer so they could all go together for rides. I will picture them all now reunited.
My sincere condolences to his family at this difficult time.
Cameron Mitchell
Posted on: Thursday, February 10, 2022So sorry to hear of Al’s passing. For many years Al worked at the front desk of the Lighthouse Point Community Center as a greeter. He always welcomed residents into the center with a warm smile. He will be missed by all who knew him.
Cameron Mitchell
Property Manager
Lighthouse Point Yacht & Tennis Club
Robert Saul
Posted on: Thursday, February 10, 2022Such a gentle and kind man … He will be missed.
Heartfelt condolences to the family.
Robert Saul & Family
Gary Brasil
Posted on: Thursday, February 10, 2022I’m so sorry to see this. My condolences to Al’s family and friends. Our connection was from Lighthouse in Collingwood where i only saw Al in the summer for a brief period of time yearly. Al was sharp and super friendly, always starting conversation around family. He’ll be missed but not forgotten.
Joe De Luca
Posted on: Thursday, February 10, 2022Our deepest condolences to the family! As a resident of Lighthouse it was always great to see Al’s smiling face and having a conversation about the Leafs, Blue Jays and his favorite Chinese restaurant! He will be missed!
Joe & Silvia De Luca
David Lowry
Posted on: Thursday, February 10, 2022I remember Al with fond memories at the Lighthouse Point community centre. Such a kind friendly man who could talk to anyone. It will be great to catch up once again when we meet in Heaven.
Dave
Len Mizzoni
Posted on: Thursday, February 10, 2022My heartfelt condolences. I met Al when he worked at the recreation centre at Lighthouse Point.
I always looked forward to seeing him at the front desk where he would greet me with a warm smile.
I truly enjoyed our many conversations over the years. He will be missed!
Len & Rita Mizzoni & Family
Frieda Timofte
Posted on: Thursday, February 10, 2022I am saddened to hear of Al’s passing. Our family knew Al when he worked the front desk at Lighthouse Point. He always had a smile and greeted us with warmth whenever we went to the centre.
Our condolences to the family.
Steve Moore
Posted on: Thursday, February 10, 2022I arrived from Ireland not knowing a lot of people in Collingwood and I lived at Lighthouse Point. Al made me feel so welcome when I would use the gym and the facilities there and we would chat about golf and any number of things. He was a friend and will be missed.
Tonie Reud
Posted on: Thursday, February 10, 2022Such a happy, wonderful person! He was one of the good ones, will be missed💕
Tonie Reud
Posted on: Thursday, February 10, 2022Such a nice happy person💕 He will be missed!
Barbara Mills
Posted on: Thursday, February 10, 2022Al was such a kind, gentle soul and he was so proud of his family. We always enjoyed his company, his sense of humour and chatting about his love of books and sports. Our sympathies to all the family,
Barb, Ken, Kevin, Heather and Evan
SHIRLEY AND DOUG MCLEAN
Posted on: Thursday, February 10, 2022Dear Joe and Laura, Bonnie and Greg, Jeff and Leigh, Todd and Shelby, Leigh and Clint and your families,
Alan had a life well lived and all who knew him loved him for his wonderful smile and willingness to have a chat about anything and everything. His rounded personality made him such a friend, full of all!
As life progresses, our families drift in different directions and sometimes we loose connection, but Alan always made a point of keeping us all up to date, with an occasional phone call and yearly Christmas card.
Your Mom and Dad were so proud of their family and your individual accomplishments – treasure, always those special memories – you all have inherited the family personality and infectious smile.
Cousins, Shirley and Doug McLean
Shirley and Doug McLean
Peter & Elaine McLean
Posted on: Friday, February 11, 2022It is with great sadness to hear about Alan’s passing. Our sincere condolences to the family.
Silvia Alonzi
Posted on: Friday, February 11, 2022A true gentleman, our family just loved seeing him at Lighthouse, he was always so kind and friendly – condolences to the family, RIP Al🙏💙
Ken & Val McLean
Posted on: Saturday, February 12, 2022Sorry to hear of Alan’s passing. Our thoughts are with the family. He was a great guy and was always smiling .
Ken and Val McLean
Gord & Carol (McLean) Ball
Posted on: Saturday, February 12, 2022Please accept our sincere condolences on your Dad’s passing.
May you find comfort in your cherished memories.
Nancy Taylor
Posted on: Sunday, February 13, 2022I was the foster mom to one of Joanne’s and Alan’s dogs, Bobby Gimbles. I heard from our rescue that this beautiful man passed away and I wanted to say how very sorry I am. I will never forget when Joanne and Alan both came fifteen years ago to see Bobby Gimbles. Bobby was not really socialized but Alan got down on the floor with him and he told me about the story of the little boy on the bus that he drove that was autistic I think – had some developmental problem – and that Alan had learned about how to meet him where he was in his world rather than expect him to join him in his. He did the same thing with Bobby. I know Bobby was only with Joanne, Alan and Missi for three years – not very long but for Bobby it was a redemption for his life as he was finally loved and seen for the wonderful little soul that he was.
This earth is but a ship and our real home is elsewhere. I know that Bobby is happy now to have his “dad” with him again.
God’s Blessing and warmest regards,
Nancy
Pauline Mellegers
Posted on: Sunday, February 13, 2022So sorry to hear of Al’s passing. Al was an awesome and well-loved greeter at the Lighthouse Point Community Centre, who remembered everyone’s name, whether a long-time owner or a seasonal renter. He had a kind word for all – a real “people person.” Rest in peace, dear Al.