Apr 9, 2018
With sadness we share that Alan - "Big Al" - Reginald Dawkins, passed away on the evening of April 9, 2018. Alan was a man of many talents - including his ability to magically "blow out the lights" for his youngest fans and grandchildren - but he was best known for his infamously bad puns, bright suspenders, and being quick to lend a hand in exchange for nothing more than tea and cookies.
He is survived by his wife and best friend, Lorna, their three children (and spouses), Christopher (Laurie), Lisa (Stefan), and Cameron (Sue), and six grandchildren, Benjamin, Mara, Marcus, Bryce, Hannah and Tanner, as well as his sister Audrey, and some of finest friends and extended family members a man could ask for.
Alan began his life in 1938 in London, England, and experienced the childhood hardship of being temporarily separated from his family during WWII. He later moved to Canada as a young man of 15 and soon fell in love with Lorna in Calgary, Alberta. There began a romance and partnership that would span more than 60 years .They shared the operation of a thriving business in Penticton's South Beach Gardens Campground with friends Dave and Mary Anderson, and countless hours of volunteer and community service with Boy Scouts, the Penticton-Ikeda Sister City Society, Japanese Gardens, Citizens on Patrol, Soupateria and The Community Concerts organization.
Alan's earliest profession was that of tinsmith, but over the years we came to believe he could do or make just about anything. After selling South Beach Gardens, he began working as a handyman taking on odd jobs and small renovations that needed a man committed to doing things right until the job was done...and all of the cookies were gone.
Alan's hard work and service to his community were noticed and appreciated: In 2016, he was recognized by the Penticton-Okanagan Rotary Club with the Paul Harris Award; it is an honour given to unsung community heroes who selflessly volunteer their time and effort to causes crucial to the social fabric of the city. A few years earlier, he was awarded the Golden Acorn Award by Scouts Canada for more than 45 years of volunteer service spanning all levels of the organization; Alan took greatest pride, however, in being able to teach young kids valuable life skills while having fun.
In his later years, Alan found joy in travelling with Lorna with the Penticton RV Club, working with good friends each week on maintenance of the Japanese Gardens, playing cribbage, watching soccer, and marvelling in the achievements of his grandchildren and his many nieces and nephews.
Beyond awards and honours and interests, Alan was a man you could trust. He was a man of his word, someone who showed up when he said he would, who provided for his family, and continued to believe his wife was the most gorgeous creature in any room until the day he could no longer whistle at her. It was fitting that Lorna was by his side, holding his hand, when he finally chose to let go.
We like to think now that Alan is "Singing in the Rain" somewhere, waiting for the day when he can once again pin down Lorna for a good kiss and a cuddle. Lorna extends her sincere appreciation to the many dear friends who made time to visit with Alan during his time in hospital and hospice care. Your visits were special to him.
Service will be held Saturday, April 21,10:30 a.m. at Providence Funeral Home 1258 Main St. Penticton.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests you consider donations to Moog Hospice House in Penticton.