Allen Abram Neufeldt, passed away peacefully at the age of 93. He is survived by his wife Irma, daughters Elaine (her husband Brian) and Gail, grandsons Ian (his wife Amy) and Keith, and great grandson Theo (who he asked about almost every day). He is also survived by his sisters Elaine and Mary along with numerous nieces and nephews. He had a remarkable life and we were all very fortunate to have been part of it for so long.

Over his lifetime, Allen accomplished and experienced many amazing things. He grew up in Southern Alberta and could recall those special moments as a young child returning home late in the evening from extended family gatherings. He would be tucked into the rumble seat of their 1928 Ford along with his brothers and sisters. They would fall asleep under their blankets and the stars only to wake up covered in snow. Or how he saw television for the first time at the Chicago’s World Fair and there were people who didn’t believe him when he returned home.

Growing up with 3 older brothers instilled a spirit of adventure and independence that he carried with him throughout his life. He had an innate talent for understanding mechanical science which he honed in the family shop/forge. One of those pivotal moments in his life occurred in grade 8 (1941) when a loud argument had erupted outside his classroom between his principle and some local farmers. They were faced with losing their crops because of a damaged irrigation culvert and were insisting that Allen be released from class to fix it. This was during the Second World War and his brothers were working elsewhere that day so he was only person available with the skills to manage this.

In later years, as he reflected on this moment, he felt this was when everything changed for him. Although only 13 years old, it took him a full day but he repaired the culvert, welding broken parts together; gaining the respect and admiration of not only his teachers and principle but those in his local community. These events led him to Georgia Tech where he graduated in 1957 and began a successful career in the oil and gas industry, eventually founding two companies, Neufeldt Equipment Limited and Industrial Propane Inc.

As an avid skier, he not only enjoyed the sport but helped build a ski resort in the 1960’s near Ottawa. Allen had the opportunity to ski throughout North America and Europe. This included the Rockies, Ontario, the Laurentians, southern townships of Quebec, Vermont and the Alps in France, Italy, Switzerland and Austria. He skied the world but Whistler was his favorite place. He arrived late to competitive skiing but did manage to win a medal or two in the senior’s category.

Allen couldn’t turn down a game of checkers or chess and the internet opened up a whole new world of people to play against. He also tried his hand at flying and often joked when he could no longer drive that he still had a valid pilot’s license. But he was always happiest at his cottage on Chandos Lake.

On behalf of his family, we would like to thank the nurses and staff at North York Senior Centre for their kind and compassionate care. They not only looked after Allen but his family as well. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Diabetes Canada (diabetes.ca or 1-800-226-8464: please direct cards to irma.neufeldt@outlook.com).

I give you this one thought to keep.
I am with you still. I do not sleep.

I am a thousand winds that blow.
I am the diamond glints on the snow.
I am the sunlight on ripened grain.
I am the gentle autumn rain.

When you awaken in the morning’s hush,
I am the swift, uplifting rush
of quiet birds in circled flight.
I am the soft stars that shine at night.

Do not think of me as gone.
I am with you still in each new dawn.