Friday, November 10, 2017
It is with deep sadness and shock that I learned of Alan's recent death. I originally knew Al from his days at Waterloo Lutheran University in the MSW program although he was one year ahead of me and our direct contact was only on a few occasions. I heard much of him in those years as there was a lot going on at the school politically in changes to the programs, and a dispute between the older established faculty and some newer younger faculty. Al was definitely a "rabble rouser' on the school council during those tumultuous years, out spoken and passionate in his views. By chance my field work supervisor, John Cushnie in first was also an outspoken critic of the school, and he and Al bonded well.
After graduation Al ended up in Stratford and some years later I took the job of Chief Social Worker at Midwestern Regional Centre, circa 1979, and our family moved to Listowel. Over the years our relationship as colleagues grew, and we met occasionally on a social basis. After MRC closed in 1998 while I was still managing two community programs and reporting to the Waterloo Area Office and later the Southwest Region office of MCSS, Family Services Perth-Huron under Al's leadership was the successful bidder in acquiring our Familyhome Program, a model program for supporting developmentally challenged adults in family settings. Coincidentally, Joan Shellnutt was the co-ordinator of this program, and had been Al's first MSW student from then Wilfrid Laurier University, previously Waterloo Lutheran in Al and my day. Consequently, Joan and her dedicated staff shift over to the employment of FSPH, and the program remains there to this day. Post retirement I filled in on contract for FSPH, and worked out of the Stratford office for about six months. And in 2005 I attended Al's early retirement, leading to their move to Buck Lake. Visiting the FSPH office this week, I was touched by the true sorrow of staff at his passing. As a truly charismatic leader, he was loved by his staff and helped build a splendid agency with dedicated, talented staff. Truly an individual of passion for family, life, and work, his presence at FSPH will carry on.
My condolences to Ruth and the entire MacIntyre family at your loss, but also of celebration of a life well lived.
