Alan Dolan Memorial

Alan and I started hanging out together around 1967-68 or so in a group of friends that brought together “the boys from the west island” with the girls of the Town of Mount Royal in Montreal, a very successful mixer! We had lots of great times together, bopping around in his mother’s “White Tornado” (I don’t even recall the actual type/year of car, which would probably shock him). Our best times usually involved music. It was the 60’s after all and we felt we had the best music of all time; I still do. We enjoyed it live, listening to up-and-coming folk singers at the Yellow and Back Door coffee houses (Bruce Cockburn, Richie Havens, Jerry Jeff Walker, Jesse Winchester, McGarrigle sisters) and oldsters like Sonny Terry and Brownie McGhee, Doc Watson and Ramblin Jack Elliott. Alan, of course, was always playing on his beloved guitar, working on his technique and expanding his repertoire. Occasionally he tried to jam with me on the flute, but my classical training always got in the way. 

Over the years, we kept in touch, thanks to Alan’s persistence. This wasn’t easy, especially with our respective busy lives, geographic differences when he and Susan moved to BC from Ontario, and before the internet. I think Alan’s special magic was nourishing and maintaining friendships across distance and time. He excelled at this, and no matter the length of time since we last spoke, it always felt like we had just hung up the phone the day before. He was always present with his cheerful voice, thoughts on life, funny anecdotes and pride in his family and their accomplishments and of course, his love for his and Susan’s wonderful grandchildren. I know that all his friends, family and close associates also had the benefit of this kind of rare friendship. 

It is so sad to lose a good and faithful friend, but I give thanks for the wonderful connection we have had over the years. I know the music will be amazing at his celebration of life and I’m sure he will be there to enjoy it.

Susan Richardson