At the age of 74, Alan Sanford Whitman passed away on June 29, 2026. He was born in Kentville, Annapolis Valley of Nova Scotia September 4, 1951. Alan was raised in Sydney Mines on Cape Breton Island, the son of the late Paul and Amanda Whitman. The second of four children, Alan grew up alongside his older brother, Charles, and younger sisters, Alice and Janet. He held many fond memories of his childhood in Sydney Mines, where he played hockey and baseball. Growing up Alan occasionally assisted his father in the operation of the Fillmore & Whitman Funeral Home. As a teenager he was an Army Cadet and attended summer camp in Aldershot, Nova Scotia. Alan graduated in the class of 1973 from Acadia University, where he earned a Bachelor of Arts degree. While in University Alan worked summers for a local fried chicken restaurant called the A&K. Alan was predeceased by his beloved brother, Charles in 1978.

Alan began his career as an office manager with Dominion Life, first in Waterloo then to Halifax before relocating to Victoria, British Columbia. While living in Victoria, he became an active member of the Jaycees (Junior Chamber of Commerce), where he met the love of his life, Marnie. They married and began a lifetime of adventures together.

Work took Alan and Marnie to Calgary, Alberta, in 1985, and then to Moncton, New Brunswick, in 1986. In 1988, they welcomed their daughter, Stacy. Soon afterward, they returned to the West Coast, settling in Richmond, British Columbia, where Alan began a new career in sales and enjoyed a quiet family life. He developed a love for gardening, hosting lobster parties, and taking summer road trips. He especially cherished returning to Nova Scotia with Marnie and Stacy for summer visits and family reunions.

Alan concluded his working career as manager of The Source electronics store in Ladner, British Columbia. Following his retirement in 2011, he and Marnie made Ladner their home. In 2012, Alan was diagnosed with Parkinson's disease. He faced the challenges of the disease with determination and found friendship and encouragement through the Parkinson's community. He enjoyed walks through Ladner Village and even took up boxing as part of his journey. One of his greatest goals was to walk his daughter down the aisle and share a father daughter dance with her at her wedding in 2013—a goal he proudly achieved.

In 2021, Alan and Marnie moved to Maple Ridge to live with their daughter, Stacy, son-in-law, John Lillico, and beloved grandchildren, Nathan and Kara. Family was always at the heart of Alan's life. He was an avid hockey fan and the family's dedicated genealogist, spending countless hours researching family history, preserving stories, and reconnecting branches of the family tree for future generations.

Alan is predeceased by his loving parents and his brother Charles. He is survived by his loving wife, Marnie; his daughter, Stacy; his son-in-law, John Lillico; and his cherished grandchildren, Nathan and Kara. He is also survived by his sister, Alice,  Greenwood, Nova Scotia; his sister, Janet, and her husband, Mark Mahoney, of New Maryland, New Brunswick; his nephew, Matthew (Melissa); and his niece, Julie (Rich). He will also be dearly missed by the Lillico family and by the many friends and relatives whose lives he touched.

Alan will be remembered for his quiet strength, gentle kindness, unwavering love for his family, and his passion for preserving their history. His legacy lives on not only in the family he loved so deeply, but also in the stories and connections he worked so faithfully to preserve for generations to come.

A private family gathering will take place at a later date in Nova Scotia where Alan will be laid to rest.  In honour of Alan's life and in recognition of his journey with Parkinson's disease, the family invites those who wish to make a memorial donation to the Parkinson Society British Columbia or a charity of your choice.