Allan FOTHERINGHAM Obituary

Lucky enough to be his summer research assistant many years ago. He left an indelible mark--it was a gift and treat to have done so!! Thank you for your words, your big presence and your sharp mind and wit. I'll never know if you actually met Madonna in that hotel lobby or it was all a figment of your imagination!!! XO RIP Condolences to his family and friends.

Mrs. Foth I met Allan 1st in 1989 outside the Senate as I had passes to watch it on big screens outside the chamber, my dad & I were there. I told him: "So they wouldn't let you in either hey Dr. Foth?!" He laughed & shook my hand.
Then I met him in 1997 when they taped the last ever 4 episodes of "Front Page Challenge" here in Edmonton. He seemed pleased that I had done some research for Pierre Berton at Provincial Archives of Alberta on Dutch Cdn. Immigration & all for only a $1.00 salary plus expenses like copying, etc. I then reminded him of past mtg. in Ottawa. Then I said I'd help him.
What's odd is I checked on three facts about John A. MacDonald for Richard Gwyn & his book to & sadly Mr. Gwyn is in the Globe & Mail obits with your very great hubby this wknd. Two awesome men & journalistic giants who will be forever missed!
All My Sympathies To You & The Family,

Rory J. Koopmans
Edmonton, Alberta

So sad to lose this lovely, kind man. Those were the best of times, when people bought The Vancouver Sun every day to read his column. Allan told me he hired me as his exec assistant because he knew I wouldn't "vamp" him. My deepest sympathy to Anne and his children.
Sue Dudley

I was heartbroken to learn of Allan's crossing over. My warmest, comforting wishes are being sent to his wife, Anne, his children and other family member at this most challenging of times. Allan is now free of his physical shackles carrying on his journey in fine form!

Uncle Allan (as you were lovingly known by Mom, Nan, and me for decades) I have zero doubt that you will be picking up your pen and overseeing with 'wit and wisdom' like no other journalist of your era, the politics of 'the other side' (smile); always with that twinkle in your eyes, saying like it is!

Beginning as a young girl, I had the great, good fortune beside Mom, to share in her political involvements with the BC Socred Party; due to her growing up close to the Hon. WAC Bennett (Cecil) and his wife, May in their hometown of Kelowna, BC . . . then when he became the Great Premier of BC, during the 'Good old Days'.

It was during that time that Dr Foth or to us: 'Uncle Allan' (His nickname for us became : 'The Dolly Sisters') that we began a long, treasured friendship, sharing wonderful times together at Socred Conventions then on to sharing many memorable times. Uncle Allan was loyal and always there when we needed him. Although his writing prowess is legendary with his sharp skills to brilliantly describe politicians in their true skins - Allan was a warm soul with great depths of kindness for his family and close friends.

Mom and I first met Allan on an elevator at a Bayshore Convention in Vancouver, BC; we thought he was a delightful, interested tourist! That encounter began 'the bond' as he followed us to Herb Cappozzi's social room creating much happy chaos; then on for decades to join his close circle of trusted friends at his 'Bowen Is Birthday Bashes' among other memorable times together.

Here's to many more adventures, Uncle Allan, with Brady and Mom, in that great next Dimension - but always close at hand. We WILL all meet again!

There’s a story I like to tell about Allan and Conrad Black, who actually wrote a monthly column for me back im the ‘80s, when I edited the Globe’s business magazine. Conrad was handsomely paid, but one day he decided it wasn’t enough. He summoned me to his office and demanded a raise. He wanted to make as much as Allan Fotheringham at Maclean’s. I told him that would not be possible . Allan was the highest paid columnist in Canada and had about ten times more readers. Mr. Black was crestfallen. Like Allan, Conrad always wanted to be at the top of the heap.

We were there through the best of times my friend, Peter C. Newman