Albert HOLLINGER

HOLLINGER, Albert William
Al Hollinger died on June 10, 2015 in his 82nd year. He made the journey into the arms of the God whose nature is unconditional love and forgiveness as experienced through the lens of Jesus. A fighter till the end and a complex multi-talented man – "a riddle, wrapped in a mystery, inside an enigma," and a survivor of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder. Police officer, prison guard, motorcyclist, cyclist, circus motorcycle performer, walker, gunsmith, machinist, explosive expert, locksmith, photographer, harmonica player, collector of many things – "one of each was not enough," Canadian Armed Forces reservist (37th Field), Field Combat Shooting Champion (rifle and pistol), purveyor of garage sales and the Cloverdale Flea Market, life member of the Heritage Arms Collector's Society, member of Ladner United Church, the Circle of Friends and various other societies and organizations. A tireless volunteer in many organizations and an outspoken advocate of Delta Hospital and South Delta. Al, over the years fixed countless bikes and motorcycles for friends. For many years his hand made Napoleonic era replica cannon, started the Vancouver Dragon Boat Races. He was a generous patron to Delta Hospital Foundation funding "The Forest for the Future" and a Nursing Educational Fund. Al preserved and donated significant and valuable historical material related to the BC Penn to the Canadian Correctional Service Museum, Kingston, ON. His estate legacy will bless many other charitable organizations. Gone to rest before him were parents Albert James and Ena, daughter Cindy and common-law wife Joan whose love brought Al's compassion to the surface and polished it. Survived by siblings George (BC), Georgina (ON), Joyce (MB) and many nieces and nephews. Many thanks to those friends who over the last five years remembered to visit Al – you know who you are and Al was grateful – you were his lifeline; his caregiver Evelyn for her patient and steadfast love; caring staff at Delta Hospital and Extended Care Unit, Fern Walk; special thanks to Joanne Tait, Music Therapist and the Recreation Staff/ECU for "going the second mile" to help Al feel at home; the Delta Hospice – blessings – you gave a dying man peace, comfort and care; Bryan Gagne (BHG Appraisals) for his honest and meticulous stewardship and sale of Al's collections; Nurse Next Door for their care; Murray Lott and the Delta Law Office for being tenacious; Cran and Co for managing Al's finances; Royal Bank Staff, Ladner for your kindness to Al over the years; to Michelle and Diane from Ladner United Church for their prayerful presence with Al during his dying; to Jim's family for their understanding of time spent. A Gathering to celebrate Al's Life and to mourn his death will take place on Saturday, June 20, 2015 at 2:00 p.m. at Ladner United Church, 4960 48th Avenue, Ladner, BC, www.ladnerunited.org, followed by the party Al wanted thrown for his friends in the Celebration Center. Presiding Major the Reverend Jim Short CD. Donations, in Al's memory can be made to Irene Thomas Hospice, 4631 Clarence Taylor Crescent, Delta, BC V4K 4L8, www.deltahospice.org.
Delta Funeral Home (604) 946-6040