May 30, 1937 – March 8, 2022
In Loving Memory ~
Alan Greir went to be with his Lord and Saviour on March 8, 2023.
Alan was born in Collingwood, Ontario, on May 30th, 1937, the only son of Capt. Basil and Dorothy Greir.
Alan lived and breathed all sports but particularly loved the game of hockey, which he played until the age of 85. In 2000, he was inducted into the Collingwood Sports Hall of Fame for his achievements in playing, coaching, and supporting hockey and golf.
Alan married his high school sweetheart Ruthie in February 1959 and had three children, Kelly, Mark and Danny.
Alan built and ran the Minden Progress, the first newspaper in Minden, Ontario in 1965. He became the president of Minden Rotary club, established the Minden Downtown Business Association, and presided over the Minor Hockey Association as president.
In 1972 Alan moved the family to Victoria, successfully building businesses for the next 40 years. He opened, Greir’s Business World, a printing supply company, purchased and ran an oceanfront motel in Qualicum Beach and started a private investigation company after getting his P.I. license.
Alan’s civic contributions include councilor for the City of Qualicum Beach, president of the Qualicum Chamber of Commerce and three terms as councilor for the City of Parksville. One of his legacies was saving the Old School House in Qualicum.
Alan was a prolific writer, finishing five books about his life and politics. He continued to be involved in sports, playing and organizing Old Timer Hockey tournaments into his eighties.
Alan loved his wife Ruthie unconditionally for sixty-four years and was a dedicated, loving father to his three children. He was also immensely proud of his five grandkids and three great-grandsons.
He will be deeply missed by his family and his many friends. He is survived by his wife Ruthie, his three children, Kelly, Mark and Dan and their spouses Graeme, Kelly, and Brenda. His grandkids Ryan, Tyler, Allison, Jesse, and Josh. His great-grandsons Finnegan, Locklan, and Oliver. He is survived by sisters Marg and Helen, sister-in-law Fran and brother-in-law Cliff.
Al’s trip to Uganda in 2000 gave him the opportunity to experience the rampant poverty in that country and he decided upon his return to raise money for the charity “Right to Play”, an organization to protect, educate and empower children to rise above adversity through sports. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to “Right to Play” https://righttoplay.ca/en-ca/
A Celebration of Life Ceremony will be announced later.Obituary-