ALBERT CHARLES PLANT
July 23, 1932
March 17, 2023
Albert’s Grand Adventure
has ended. His over 90 years
were filled with love of family,
extraordinary business leadership,
and commitment to community.
Albert enjoyed laughs, good
jokes and celebration, especially
his own birthday party. Son
of Ralph and Ruth, he started
the adventure in Vancouver
surrounded by a boisterous family
with two brothers and three
sisters. It was nearby at Crescent
Beach where he acquired his
passion for sailing and met the
love of his life, Ann Pentland, with
whom he shared 72 wonderful
years travelling, enjoying music,
playing bridge and not grumbling
while gardening.
Together they had five mostly
lovely children, two of whom,
Barbara and Steven, did not
survive to adulthood. Along with
Ann, he leaves behind children,
Charles, Sara (Brent Moore), Laura
(Adam Watson); grandchildren,
Alex (Cam Quinn), Lachlan,
Jason, Carley, Rebecca, Callum,
and Lauren; and great-grandkids,
Avery and Teagan. As he used to
proudly say, “This is my family!”
Albert started his career timber
cruising the Carmanah Valley
on Vancouver Island, where he
acquired his love of cheddar, jam
and onion sandwiches. He used
to say that he learned to make
them quickly so they didn’t get
too many mosquitos in them.
Albert was an early adopter of a
portfolio career as he moved to
Ocean Falls, Richmond, Rawdon,
Montreal and back to Vancouver
in the pulp and paper industry.
From there, he leapt into retail
in Toronto, becoming “Mr. Fixit”,
running several of Canada’s
largest retailers. His 62-year career
ended at 85 in management
consulting, having published a
number of books and serving on
several boards.
In all that time, he rarely missed
dinner, didn’t work nights and
was home on weekends to
enjoy the St. Lawrence Market,
play tennis at the Granite Club
(into his mid-80s), experiment
with photography, make stained
glass, and play with his kids and
grandkids. He was perpetually
eight years old with a wicked
sense of humour and loved to try
new things; getting a car phone
in 1974, banking online in 1984,
riding a scooter at 75, paddle
boarding at 80, and making labels
for all of his tools.
Many thanks to the staff at
Christie Gardens for four years
of exceptional care; finding his
phone for him, fixing his TV,
which he messed up regularly,
and reminding him what day
it was so he could check his
calendar for scheduled activities.
At Albert’s request, a service will
not be held. The family will have
a private gathering to celebrate
his life. Donations in his memory
are welcomed and appreciated at
Christie Gardens Foundation (600
Melita Crescent) or Eglinton St.
George’s United Church, where
he was active for many years.
Condolences may be forwarded to
www.mountpleasantgroup.com
In his last days, with his memory
almost gone, he was surrounded
by family, trying to converse with
him as he ran imaginary meetings,
politely enquired whether we had
jobs, and in one lucid moment
just a few days ago said. “I
want it marked down as DONE.
Bring me a pencil.”