Alan Steedman

Alan was born in Smooth Rock Falls, Ontario, on the 12 May, 1933. When he was three the family moved to Grand Falls, Newfoundland and it was here that Alan developed his love of the outdoors and winter sports. From here Alan went to Ridley College in St. Catherines, Ontario, quite a change from the wilderness, but he loved the challenges. He joined the cadets, was good at athletics, captained the football team, and developed a lifelong love of history. On leaving Ridley, he went to the University of Toronto to study medicine, and spent his holidays with his family in Marathon and Muskoka. He interned with fellow Toronto students in Edmonton, and then travelled to the U.K., where he worked at several hospitals in London and Kenmare, Ireland. He went to Edinburgh to study surgery and while there met Jocelyn. He didnt enjoy surgery, preferring to talk to people, so decided to return to Toronto to begin a degree in psychiatry. He then went to Goderich where the first community psychiatric hospital was opened. This sparked his interest in community psychiatry, which he continued to practice in government mental health clinics throughout his career. Alan and Jocelyn had married in Australia, and in 1964, with two small children, they travelled by train across Canada, and on by boat to Australia. Alan worked in Parramatta for a year and then returned to Canada, deciding to stay in B.C. After a very wet year in Vancouver the family moved to Prince George where two more children were born. After four years in the north he decided to return to Australia. Ten years later he returned to Prince George, this time with a team of four psychiatrists. Al and Jocelyn stayed there for three years, but their time there was marred by the death of their son, John, from a brain tumour. The family moved to Vancouver where he worked at Burnaby Mental Health Centre and then Simon Fraser University. Wherever he worked Al was always much loved for his sense of humour and common sense approach. On retirement he and Joss moved to Victoria where he spent many happy years reading history, skiing, playing squash, and best of all hiking with his friends in the Sooke Hills. Al was always loving, gentle and supportive, but knew when to roll an eye, toss in a bit of wit and/or come out with one of his legendary Al-isms. In addition to a love of exploring and travel, Al was up for an adventure no matter how inane, especially if it involved a singsong or an ice cream. He is survived by his wife Jocelyn, brother David, children Jane, Scott (Leilah) and Judith (Patrik) and grandchildren Lucas, Ray, Elsie, Zazie, Stella, Sami, Tova, and Rose. In lieu of flowers, donations to the Alzheimers Society of B.C. would be appreciated. A celebration of his life will be held at a later date.