Obituary of Alan Slaney

It is with great sadness the family of Alan Slaney announce his passing in Strathroy, Ontario, Canada on January 06, 2025 at the age of 90. Alan was born on September 21, 1934 in Mansfield, Woodhouse, England to Samuel and Louisa Slaney. Prior to marriage, Alan worked in England as a farm labourer and served in the RAF military police as a dog handler. After his marriage to Janet Slaney, they immigrated to Canada in 1957 and settled in Timmins. After arriving in Timmins, Alan began his career as a hardrock and gold miner in the Porcupine camp. Alan, with Janet, raised three children; Steven Slaney (Watford, ON), Rev. Angela Cory (Saint John, NB) and Stewart (Sheila) Slaney (Oshawa, ON). Alan had a 30 year plus career in mining beginning at the Hollinger Gold mine, with stints at Jameson and Kidd creek mines and ending at Hoyle Pond goldmine. Alan held many different positions such as shift boss, long hole driller and frontline labourer and was well respected in the mining community. Life for the Slaney family began in a Hollinger house but in 1967, Alan (with a little help from friends) built the house we grew up in on Ann Ave.  Dad loved to garden and tried to eke out as much as possible in his vegetable garden in Timmins’ short growing season. Walking in the bush almost every Sunday (rain or shine, summer or winter) was a ritual most often to explore old abandoned mine sites. After retirement, Dad largely gave up driving and adopted his bicycle as his main means of travel. He often cycled outside of the city limits and went blueberry picking (sometimes accompanied by black bears if you believe the stories !).

Life slowed down after Janet passed away and Dad moved south to Watford. Son Steve made sure Dad still got out and about, most excursions seem to center around beer and cigars ! Alan is survived by brothers-in-law John (Anthea) North and Jeff (Louise) North. Nieces and nephews Margaret, Jean, Sharon, Martin and Joanne, Nicola and James, Jane and Rachel, Sarah and John, Laura and Daniel and their father Brian Wilson. Alan will be sadly missed by his grandchildren Chad (Rachel), Shauna (Jason) and Kirsten (Dylan), Andrew (Victoria) and Spencer ( Emma Chapelle). Great grandchildren Erin, Leia, and Remeny. Alan is predeceased by his wife Janet, brothers Geoff (Maureen), Eric (Mabel) and sister Rita Davis (Joe), brothers-in-law Bill North, John Wheat and Chris Riding and his sisters -in-law Elizabeth Wilson, Carol Wheat, Josie Riding, Jean North, and Son-in-law Mcpl S. Blair Cory, Mother and Father Louisa and Samuel Slaney and Father and Mother-in-law Wilfred and Doris North.

The family would like to thank the doctors, nurses and staff at the Strathroy Middlesex General Hospital and Brookside Retirement Living for their care and kindness. We would also like to send a big thank you to neighbours Julien (Skip) and Carole Veillette for all their care and kindness. In keeping with Alan's wishes, cremation has taken place. Scattering of Alan’s ashes will take place at a later date in Watford, ON. In lieu of flowers, donations in memory of Alan can be made to the Sarnia and District Humane Society or the charity of the donor's choice.

The funeral arrangements are entrusted with the DENNING’S FUNERAL HOMES, 32 Metcalfe Street West, Strathroy. To make credit card online donations or condolences, please visit  https://strathroyfuneralhome.com/