Allan Keray Barlott

I'm honored to be here today to pay tribute to Allan's life. Allan was a father, a husband, a brother,
brother-in-law, son-in-law, Uncle and friend that we all loved dearly. Although he came from simple
beginnings on a small farm, hard work and determination characterized his life.

Allan was born in Vegreville, Alberta on November 27, 1958. His father, Peter Barlott was also born near
Vegreville on the homestead farm where Allan grew up, and his mother, Sally Palahniuk was born on a
farm in the Ispas district north of Vegreville. Peter and Sally Barlott were married on May 28, 1942 and
had four children, all boys. Allan was the youngest of the four.

All four of us, George, Tony, Allan and I have often recalled growing up on the family farm, where farm life
and our extended family were an important part of growing up. Everyone worked hard all week and
Sunday was the day of rest - going to church in the morning and then having a get-together with
grandparents, uncles, aunts and cousins. Allan had the good fortune of having our grandparents and
many of our aunts, uncles and cousins all living in the Vegreville area, most lived on farms in the area.
The Ukrainian culture with dancing and singing, delicious Ukrainian style food that our Mom was so good
at preparing, and large gatherings were a way of life.

There was quite a large spread in age between all of us, George the oldest and Allan the youngest, over
15 years. Growing up everyone got involved in the farming way of living, we as children had to either look
after the younger brothers when our parents were out doing farm chores and milking the cows, or out
there with them helping with the farm work. All many happy memories.

With this large spread in age, as the older boys left the farm, Allan was the only one left at home with
Mom and Dad by the time he became a teenager. However, Allan had a mischievous side. Tony had just
left for University and Mom told us how Allan used to goad her on to instigate a wrestling match having
missed having Tony to bug. On another occasion Val remembers a time at the farm when Allan gave her
a special carrot to taste only to find to her dismay that it was horseradish. Or the time he challenged and
pestered Val to take a ride at the fair that she did not want to go on, only to find that it was Allan that went
running to the garbage can with motion sickness rather than Val.

Allan was fortunate to have good friends during those days on the farm. His best friend, Dean, shared
some fun stories with me. I understand that their annual fall duck/goose hunting days were a real
fun/bonding time together – initially Allan and Dean for many years then joined by their friend, Tim, to
make it a threesome. Using topo maps of the Vegreville-Two Hills area they would scope out the
significant sloughs and plan the best places to hunt. After a morning of hunting, they would stop in at the
Two Hills drive-in diner for a hamburger or chicken then on to Lavoy at the end of the day for a beer and
to shoot pool. I gather that most of the hunting trips were for ducks, but Allan and Dean's first goose
hunting trip stands out. They built a platform that they floated down the Vermilion River to a quiet reeded
area that geese frequented. As one large goose flew overhead, both Allan and Dean shot their shot guns
simultaneously; and, the one lone goose came down. When Dean's mom prepared the goose later that
day, she only found 1 shotgun pellet in the heart of the goose. It was a bit of a disappointment as they
were not sure who the lucky one was that hit the target - at least if there were more than one pellet they
could have shared the victory. While living in Edmonton in their 20's Allan and Dean continued to share
many good times together often taking a trip to Vancouver during spring break. On another occasion,
Allan and Dean decided on a whim to try their hand at Hang Gliding and gave it a whirl in the Edmonton
River Valley.

Growing up all of us boys were encouraged by our parents to get an education. Allan excelled in school
grades 1 to 12 – as Dean said "he was the smartest guy I know – he could always solve complex math
problems". This math aptitude served Allan well as he excelled in University getting his B.Sc. in Mineral
Engineering from the U of A in June 1981. Allan started his successful professional career as a mining
and metals engineer with Bechtel a large international engineering, construction and project management
company. He worked in Norman Wells, Northwest Territories followed by work in design and project
management in the construction of nuclear power plants in various areas in the USA, with major stints in
Philadelphia and California. After returning to Canada from the USA in 1987, Allan started working with
Sherritt International in Fort Saskatchwan in 1988 where he worked for the next 13 ½ years. Following
his employment with Sherritt, he worked with a number of companies in Edmonton: Pro-Rod
Manufacturing in charge of manufacturing; Colt Engineering as senior project manager, SNC Lavalin as
business development manager, Stantec as senior project manager, Score Energy Products as senior
engineering manager, and his last year of employment with Sherritt's Consulting Group as Senior Project
Manager.

Allan met his wife Georgia in 1989 and the rest is history - this wonderful family with whom we share this
day in memory today. Allan met Georgia at the Cheek to Cheek Dance Studio during the long weekend in
August of 1989. Three years later, Allan and Georgia were married in Edmonton on August 22, 1992 and
they were blessed with two wonderful children. They were excited when they had their first child,
Courtney born October 28, 1995 and overjoyed when Cole was born May 25, 2001. Allan's family and his
children were the center of his life. During this period of his family life, Allan went back to the U of A to
further his education and received his Master of Engineering in Engineering Management from the
Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering in November 1998. He also completed Toastmasters
and Toastmasters Leadership Programs in 2001 and 2002. Allan's academic gifts have been inherited by
his children as they continue to pursue higher education. Both Courtney and Cole are excelling in their
education – their accomplishments have made Allan and Georgia very proud. After completing High
School Courtney attended Grant McEwen University for one year and is currently in a General Sciences
program at the U of A working towards a B.Sc. - doing very well with interest in chemistry, research and
nutritional sciences. Cole is completing grade nine this year at Lorne Akins Junior High and has
registered in the Advance Placement program at Paul Kane High School – he also excels in mathematics
with an interest in engineering.

While it seemed that Allan was always working, Courtney shared that when she was younger he was the
person she could count on to go for help with school work. He would spend hours working with her even
when he had his own work to do. And he was there to talk to not only for help with school work, but any
situation or problem.

In talking with Georgia, Courtney and Cole about memories of Allan and their Dad, three things seemed
to stand out: the music he loved, his favorite cars and, most important, the precious time spent together
on vacation trips. Starting with his music, he had many favorites like Boys of Summer by Don Henley and
Summer of 69 by Bryan Adams or Heart of Gold by Neil Young. His favorites included songs and music
of the Eagles, Neil Young, Bryan Adams, Eric Clapton, Elton John, Kenny Loggins, Pink Floyd and the
Rolling Stones. You will hear selections of some of his favorites with the picture tribute here today.
Allan's interest in hot cars started with a 1970 florescent lime green Dodge Demon that he ended up
leaving for Dad to drive, and I gather Christine also had this car for a couple of months as well. Allan
gave up his Dodge Demon after getting his mid-70's red Corvette. That was his pride and joy as he left to
work in Philadelphia with the Vet being transported by truck. Much to his dismay, it was dropped off the
truck by accident on arrival in the U.S. and was never the same. He sold it before he returned to Canada
in 1987. Allan's passion for cars continued with the purchase of a black 2008 CTS Cadillac followed by
the purchase of a black high-performance 2010 Cadillac CTS-V. Everyone was thrilled riding in this car
that had a high-performance Corvette engine that made many Best 10 car lists. As Allan's cancer
progressed, the family had to sell both of them.

Time together with Allan on trips were highlights the family enjoyed. This included New Orleans and San
Diego in 1995, Europe in 1997 and Los Vegas in 2007 when the highlight was attending a Celine Dion
Concert. Hawaii was a favorite with Allan and Georgia. They celebrated Allan's Birthday in Hawaii in
1989 and returned to the Big Island in 1998 after his graduation with his Master of Engineering Degree.
They experienced a thrill of a lifetime when they took a 2½ hour helicopter tour after Georgia convinced
Allan to take some Gravol and climb aboard. Although Allan's health was declining, he was thrilled to go
with his family on another memorable trip to Hawaii in 2012. About a year later, in November 2013,
Georgia, Courtney and Cole were able to take Allan on the trip that was on his "bucket list" to New
Zealand, Australia and Fiji… I'm sure that the three of you will always cherish the many special memories
of your time together.

When I asked many of you what comes to mind when you think of Allan/your Dad, you said: hardworking,
tenacious, smart, the kindest person I knew, soft-spoken, easy going, caring, loyal, always put
others first, always had time to give advice, went out on bike rides to 7/11 for slushes, was like a
brother… and was a special brother. We are all so blessed to have been part of his life. Courtney and
Cole, your Dad was so proud of you – you are his legacy.

I borrow from a prayer I shared with Allan in the weeks prior to his passing as a prayer for the three of you

- Georgia, Courtney and Cole:
"May you take comfort in knowing that God is with you every minute of every day. May you turn to Him
when you feel alone as your Heavenly Father will always be with you."