DR. ALEXANDER ALLAN BRAND

The funeral service of Dr. Alexander Allan Brand, of Greenwold, Antigonish, will take place on Dec 9, 2019 at 11am, at St James United Church, Antigonish. He died, peacefully, on October 15th, 2019, aged 91.

Born on December 7th, 1927 in Dundee, Scotland, he was the eldest child of Alexander and Christina Brand. He obtained his medical degree from St. Andrews University, Scotland in 1951 and then did three years of National Service in the Canal Zone, Egypt and in Malta. In 1957, he married Constance Pybus, a nursing sister he met whilst working as a family doctor in Yorkshire, England. In 1967, the family emigrated to Antigonish, where he provided sole anaesthetic services at St Martha’s Hospital for almost 25 years. He was also medical examiner for many years and very active in promoting preventative health, including a smoking ban at the hospital, compulsory seat belt use and women’s health.

Allan retired from medical practice at the age of 64 and for the next 20 years, he and Con had a great retirement. They travelled the world, visited friends in Yorkshire and elsewhere, tended the garden, researched the family tree, enjoyed their grandchildren and generally lived life to the fullest.

In the last years of Con’s life, he became her full-time care giver. He was devoted to her and resisted any suggestions of additional help. He said “We both signed up for better or worse, in sickness and in health and that is what I will do.” He never really recovered from her sudden death 2 years ago, after 60 years of marriage.

Allan regarded medicine as a vocation, not a job. He was the consummate professional. He wanted things done the right way, every time. Patient care always came first. Being on call 24/7 meant he had little time for leisure activities. Gardening was a passion, which he passed onto his daughters. He was a voracious reader. He had a great voice and played several instruments, including the bagpipes. He was a member of the Antigonish Legion Senior Pipe Band and delivered the Ode to a Haggis at the annual Antigonish Highland Society Burns Supper for 50 years. A true Scot, he enjoyed a good party, especially if it involved music and dancing. His preference was Scottish country dancing, which he also taught. He was an active member of the Freemasons for over 50 years. He had an amazing intellect, a great sense of humour and an incredible memory for detail and facts, which remained with him until then very end.

Allan is survived by dearly loved daughters, Catriona (Peter) Wilson, PEI; and Alison Brand (Andrew), Australia; devoted grandchildren Jonathan (Gillian) and great grandson Alexander; Mark (Bonnie); Matthew (Bree); and Fiona and Alexander.

Allan was predeceased by his wife Constance and siblings Janet, Bill and, in infancy, Douglas. He will be dearly missed by his entire family, who are all the better to have been loved by him. His ashes will be buried next to Con in Yorkshire. As a friend said, “He left Scotland but Scotland never left him.”

Memorial donations may be made to Parkinson’s Canada.

Online condolences:  www.clcurry.com