Retired Judge Blake Allan passed away peacefully at home on May 18, 2009 in his ninety-third year. Predeceased by his loving wife Ruth in 2003, he is survived by his children Blake Jr. (Beryl) and Stephanie (John), his grandchildren Chris (Sonia) and Rachel and his two brothers, Jim (Ruth) and Alex (Kathy) and their families. Judge Allan was born in Nelson and spent his early years in Nelson, Vancouver and Stavely, Alberta, where his grandfather and father ran the family store. He graduated in Law from the University of Alberta in 1941. He articled in Vancouver, was called to the Bar in BC, and then joined the Canadian Army overseas. Upon returning from overseas duty he joined a law firm in Vancouver. He met Ruth AIm of Kaslo in Vancouver and they were married in 1947. Ruth and Blake moved to Nelson and their Kootenay roots shortly after marriage where he practiced law until he was appointed a Provincial Court Judge in 1970.

Judge Allan held court in Nelson, but he also traveled the province, sitting in many smaller towns until he was appointed in Victoria in 1975. He remained a Judge in Victoria until retirement in 1988 and was then appointed a Deputy Judge of the Tax Court of Canada, sitting in BC, Alberta and Ontario. He enjoyed his friends and was an active member and supporter of many organizations and groups over the years including the Delta Kappa Epsilon Fraternity, The Royal Canadian Legion, Rotary, Toastmasters, Probus Club, Round Table Club, Retired Judges, Broadmead and Victoria Coffee Clubs and the Victoria Genealogical Society. His love of history led him to genealogy which he attacked with a passion that filled his retirement years with excitement. As Ruth said "he found relatives all over creation." In his later years he enjoyed sitting at his computer corresponding with all his pals and the new friends he met via the Internet, and his treasured morning meetings with his great friends at the Broadmead Coffee Club.

Funeral Services will be held at Gateway Baptist Church, 898 Royal Oak Avenue, Victoria, BC on Tuesday, June 2, 2009 at 3pm. In lieu of flowers please kindly donate to a charity of your choice.

[posted June 1, 2009]