With great sadness, we said goodbye to Allan Dennis Anderson on November 12th, 2025, as he joined his beloved mother Frances Hocking, brother Barry Anderson and stepfather Robert Hocking. He leaves in our care, his dearly loved sons Eric Anderson (Christine) and Ian Anderson (Kayla) along with his cherished grandchildren Ryan and Amber. He also leaves his loving sisters Elizabeth Kerr (Dave) and Connie McFarland (Tim), his brother Robert Hocking (Vivien) and his longest and most loved friend Gary Stevens (brother in spirit), along with many nieces, nephews, and cousins.

Allan was born on April 13th, 1954, in Ottawa, Ontario. He took his position as eldest in the family quite seriously, stepping up to help his single mother when dad left. He and his mother were constant companions right until her passing almost exactly to the day, one year prior.

Allan was an intensely proud father and grandpa who could spend hours extolling the virtues and accomplishments of his sons and grandchildren. As a young single father, he baked peach melba and other yummy treats for his boys, much to the surprise of his sisters who had never witnessed this side of him before. His love of tinkering with cars was legendary and he could spend hours, even weeks nurturing them back to safe operation; and later on, instilled this love through teaching Eric and Ian while watching alongside. Allan saw everything he did as an act of service and he never slowed down, always finding something needing his attention. He turned his hand and generous work ethic to a variety of jobs including being a Brinks guard, running a small cleaning business, working for the Carleton Board of Education and Object Technology International as cleaner and handyman. Lessons in the proper tools, chemicals and methods to clean surfaces so as to limit germ-sharing on school and office desks were his poetry, occurring often and without warning. He loved country music and Roy Orbison, and he wept the day that Elvis died.

Despite working day and night to provide for his two sons, there was never a time where he was too busy or unavailable for Eric or Ian; and for that matter, anyone who truly needed his help. Day or night, Allan rose to the occasion judgement free and with a tremendous amount of pride. To be able to help someone or be there for them in any way, was in fact, one of his greatest joys in life. Allan was the truest example of a custodian of life.

Allan made clear his wishes for full body donation to the University of Ottawa medical school. He did not want a service in his name and so the family held a private gathering to celebrate the life of the man who preferred no fuss.

Allan’s family would like to express our sincere thanks for the care that he received in his final hours at May Court Hospice. May Court is a truly remarkable place, and we will forever be grateful to Dr Brodeur, Inne, Kim, Chantal and others for their gentle, loving care as he left us. Donations to this remarkable pillar of our community would no doubt go to great use.

“Fingerprints are like values – you leave them all over everything you do.”

Elvis Presley