Happy “75th” birthday my beloved Alan. I love you and always will, forever. ❤️ 

What a special place Alan occupied here among us! I only knew him such a little time during his life - and that as the days were diminishing - but I got to learn a lot about how dedicated he was to his teaching, his students - of various disciplines, his art, his family. Of course, there's the whole bike thing, being out in the elements - in HIS element - riding! Plus - he managed to be decent and gentle and true amidst challenges.
To all his family - I hope Alan comes to your days in the precious, surprising instances where he present in your hearts and minds, and you know that you are close ...

Just happened to be thinking of Alan - such great cycling weather, here in the Okanagan anyway, lately - cool June mornings, nice warm afternoons - mostly sunny with the odd surprise shower. It's unusually green and fresh in the hills, and stunning, wind-swept clouds in blue skies! I think Alan would smile about it. Wanted to say 'hi' in some fashion. This wonderful man is here with us!

Alan was my grade school teacher in the late 80’s / early 90’s in Victoria. His classes brought out some amazing artistic talent from many in their teenage years. He was patient and nurtured those finding their feet in many new mediums. The greatest gift he shared with me was his passion for cycling. Like so many in the early 90’s, we learned about trail riding from Alan after he generously gave his free time to support new cyclists. I was hooked from the start, riding trails in Goldstream, Highlands, Millstream and Bamberton areas with Alan and often his two sons. Some days we’d jump in the river afterwards or just tell stories about how we’d bonked on a long ride. I would keep riding the trails for the next 30 years, and Alan’s gift would be one of the most lasting things I would take from those days. He has helped so many find their passion over the years, and leaves a lasting legacy as his many students are now passing it on to today's youth.

Alan was a wonderful son to our dear friend Holly. When Holly wasn’t driving anymore, he would take his mother shopping, later did the shopping for her, and he drove her to the hairdresser’s every week. When he was unable to visit Holly anymore, he kept in close touch by daily phone calls. We know how much Holly appreciated Alan’s love, help and patience.

Engaging with Alan was always a joy. Cycling was at the core of our relationship and having spent my life believing in bikes I have all the more respect for his contributions to our cycling community. From trail building to getting or keeping people on bikes his belief in the bicycle was totally genuine.
Such a blessing to have been part of his community.

As a family friend of "Auntie Holly" and "Uncle Arthur", I mostly knew Alan by reputation alone. When I took up cycling in earnest about 12 years ago, I enjoyed learning about the Jones family legacy and your permanent impact on Victoria's cycling community. Over the past year (following a connection over his mother's 100th birthday!) Alan and I began following each other on Strava, a GPS app that let us view each other's ride maps and data. Knowing about his health problems, I very much enjoyed seeing Alan's determined forays along the Goose and into my beloved RRU trails, often with one or both of his sons. I see Alan's last ride was just over three weeks before he passed. May we all stay on the bike until our final days! For a man who embodied the sentiment, I'll repeat my comment on Alan's penultimate Strava ride: "Cycling is life!"

I would never have known Alan if my daughter, Carmen, and his son, Michael, had not met and married. All to my benefit, since I got to spend the best of times with Alan and Joanie - occasions to learn more about this remarkable man and this beautiful couple.
Over time, I came to see his singular ability to ride with events both tragic and joyful and turn them to their utmost good. Maybe it was the cycling and racing that gave him this ability; more likely, this is the gift he brought not only to cycling, but also to his art, family, marriage, and life as he lived it. In all of this, he was buoyed up in the best way by Joanie, who will never, ever fail to see where joy might abide, and remain upbeat and uplifting in the fracas.
Once a few months ago, I ventured to ask Carmen if she thought Alan could beat the cancer that seemed to be overtaking him. She cut me off saying, “Everyday he’s alive, he’s beating it. And he did, and he still is - by inspiring us, showing us delight in whatever has a glimmer of beauty, enduring what must be endured, all with the greatest truth – that life is not the reflection of what happens to you, but what you do to make the best of it.

You will be loved, celebrated, and cherished forever my beautiful brother in law. May you soar high and experience beauty forever. I will always love you ‍♀️✨✨