Obituary of Alan Gurney

It is with great sadness but hope that comes from God that we announce the passing of Alan Murry Langton Gurney on Sunday, April 26, 2020 at the age of 86. 

He will be lovingly remembered by his children, grandchildren and great grandchildren, Quentin and Lillian (Angelina & Joshua (Malachi, Maribelle) Williams; Liana and Dustin Clifton; Julia, and Sara) Gurney, Wanda and Arnold (Nathan & Jorja, and Janelle) Loewen, Wendy and Rick (Jordan & Teresa, and Brielle) Funk and Sterling and Christin (Faith, Caleb, Josiah, and Mercy) Gurney. He was predeceased by his wife Susan Gurney, brother Timothy, and sisters June and Shirley. 

Alan was born February 5, 1934 in Spy Hill, Saskatchewan to William George Langton and Annie Bell (nee Murphy) Gurney.  In hopes of a better life, the family moved to the Interlake region of Manitoba in 1938.   At the age of 12, Alan was running the 160-acre farm he purchased with money he earned from trapping ermine, squirrels and muskrats to help his family as his father contracted rheumatoid arthritis shortly after their arrival in Manitoba.  Alan’s father, who was bedridden for 32 years was Alan’s hero for his positive attitude and Alan noted that people came to see his Dad for advice, an example for Alan for his own life and in his suffering with Parkinson’s. 

Alan was forced to drop out of school in the local one room school house, South Head School to help support his family, but later on finished high school by correspondence and went on to attend Winnipeg Bible College, now known as Providence College.  His biblical training helped him in the many roles he filled at Central Alliance Church and Southdale Alliance (now Cornerstone Alliance) as Sunday school teacher, Sunday school superintendent, board member, and elder.  He also preached at Union Gospel Mission. 

Encouraged and supported by his wife Susan (nee Zacharias) who he married in 1960, he decided to follow his sisters and become a teacher.  He worked his way through a Bachelor of Arts at the University of Winnipeg where he was part of the first graduating class of teachers in 1968 as well as a Bachelor of Education from University of Manitoba in 1972.  He taught at Lord Kitchener School, which later became John Pritchard for 28 years, starting in the elementary school and moving to the middle school where he taught math, art, and became the Language Arts department head.  Alan spent his summers taking camping vacations with his family around Canada and the U.S and ensured his kids visited as many historical sites and museums as possible along the way to enhance their education.

Alan was an accomplished, self-taught handy man who enjoyed fixing up houses as rental properties.  After retiring from teaching, Alan was involved with the Canadian Sunday School Mission (now known as One Hope Canada) where he served on the board for a number of years.  He also became the treasurer of the MCC Kildonan Community Thrift store.  His leadership there guided the store from selling out of a home on Washington with sales of a few hundred dollars a day through two relocations and into a position where they now sell several thousand dollars a day, with all profit going to Christian and global mission projects.  Alan touched many lives by his example of Christian service, his kind heart, humble spirit and his love of sharing a good joke or story.  He loved his family and welcomed each grandchild warmly.  His sense of humor entertained them, as did his stories about growing up in a much different time.  

Alan will be missed by his family but we know that he is living a far better life in heaven where he can walk and enjoy time with his Lord.

While the family would love to have friends and family attend the interment and funeral service, due to COVID-19 limitations, the service will be streamed on Monday, May 4, 2020 at 2:30 pm. 

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Union Gospel Mission, PO Box 1073 STN Main, Winnipeg, Manitoba, R3C 2X4 or through their website at https://www.gospelmission.ca/donate.