Allen Ladbrooke

Allen, P. Eng. passed away peacefully on Monday, March 22, 2010, in London, ON. Born in 1920 in Bridgend, Wales, Allen is survived by his daughter Jane Lucas (Roy) and grandsons Mark and James in Thunder Bay and Ottawa, as well as many nieces and nephews, and his sister-in-law Beryl, in the UK. He was predeceased by his wife Betty, brothers John, Glynn and Mervin, sister-in-law Barbara and parents Ernest and Edith. As a youth he assisted his father with his milk delivery business in Wales, and after beginning his municipal engineering apprenticeship, Allen was conscripted in 1941 to the British Army and saw service overseas in Egypt, Palestine, Libya, Tunisia and Italy with the Eighth Army. Allen immigrated to Canada in 1956 with Betty and Jane, beginning his career as a civil engineer for the province in Chatham. They moved to Peterborough where Allen was a municipal engineer for 11 years. From 1967 when he and Betty relocated to London, ON until 1973 he was the Manager of the Lake Huron,-Lake Erie Water supply systems, the massive pipeline project which serves London and surrounding municipalities in southwestern Ontario, and the city of St. Thomas. Following retirement from the province in1980, he consulted privately until 1990. Throughout their lives, Allen and Betty travelled extensively, including Australia, Hong Kong, Alaska and many trips back home to Wales. Allen was an avid golfer and was an active member of the London Rotary club, Probus and the St. Anne's Anglican Church until his passing. Allen was a devoted grandfather visiting his grandsons regularly, first in Edmonton, and then Thunder Bay. A wonderful story teller and dispenser of advice, Allen will be missed by family, friends and neighbours for his wit and kindness. A funeral service will be held at St. Anne's Anglican Church on Saturday March 27. If desired, donations in lieu of flowers to Primates World Relief and Development Fund (PWRDF), 80 Hayden St. , Toronto M4Y 3G2 would be appreciated."