March 2, 1932 – September 12, 2025
On Friday, September 12, 2025, Allan Lloyd Lake passed away peacefully at Southbridge Care Home, Owen Sound, surrounded by his family. Born and raised in Clarksburg, he is survived by his wife of 66 years, Saundra (nee MacDonald), his children AJ Lake (Sue) and Linda Burnett (Graham), and granddaughters Sarah Grant (Alex), Andrea Boyle (Jesse), and Christine Burnett. He also was fortunate enough to meet his great-grandchildren Leo and Oliver Boyle and Anna and Henry Grant.
Al was a very devoted family man. He was born as the fourth child to Lloyd and Alice Lake. He always looked up to his older siblings Lil, Jack, and May, as he was several years younger. Then, on his 6th birthday came his favourite childhood birthday gift: his baby sister, Sheila. The five Lake kids and their families remained close throughout their lives with frequent parties, games of rummoli, and maybe a few too many shots of rum. All siblings predeceased Allan but he is survived by brother-in-law Ray Eagles, of Meaford. He is also survived by sister-in-law Shirley Lawrence, Toronto, and brother-in-law John MacDonald (Joan), Thornbury. He was predeceased by sister-in-law Marilyn Taber of Toronto. He also is the much-loved uncle and great-uncle to many nieces and nephews.
Allan’s childhood was spent in a Tom Sawyer fashion in and around the Village of Clarksburg where he and his friends occasionally got into shenanigans along the Beaver River and in the apple orchards of the Valley. On occasion he would find himself in a bit of hot water with a parent or land owner but some quick bike pedalling home or ducking into nearby fields saved him from much consequence. He was a hard worker from an early age, delivering The Telegram newspaper on his bicycle around Clarksburg, even in winter. Later, as a teen, he began working at his dad’s business, Lake’s Garage and Machine Shop, where he swept floors and cleaned for 5 cents/hr on Saturdays. Tiring of school, he began to work full time at the business with his Dad and brother Jack in his late teens. He graduated a few years later from Ryerson Institute of Technology with his Automotive Technician Diploma and a brand new 1951 Ford Sedan with whitewall tires, spot light, the works. Al referred to this vehicle as a “honey of a car”, and with these wheels, Al was able to travel from Balmy Beach to the Kee to Bala to attend all the Big Band Dances – usually with a gang in tow including a gal on his arm.
But it was in 1955 that he met his true honey: Saundra MacDonald. Their romance, which has thrived for 70 years, overcame all obstacles a marriage could have, from parental disapproval in the early years (he was six years older and she was just a high schooler) to financial hardship and illness. But through it all, their love, friendship and mutual respect endured. As Saun has frequently said, they were dealt spades, found hearts and ended up with the only diamonds that matter: each other. They were married in July 1959 and soon were parents to AJ and Linda. Their little family complete, Al and Saun set to work to build their lives together. Soon, their dream home was built on Hillcrest Drive, where they lived, worked and raised their family for 60 years. Al continued his career at Lakes Garage during this time, becoming a partner in 1961 with his brother Jack until 1980. In 1984, AJ joined the business which by then was incorporated and they built Lakes Garage into a well-respected regional car dealership and garage. By the time the shop closed in 2001, they were not only the longest family-operated VW dealership in Canada but had won numerous sales and customer service awards, including the Top Performing Dealership in all of North America by the VW Corp.
Al prioritized spending time with his family. He loved his siblings and welcomed each new member by marriage or birth into the family as his own. He taught AJ and Linda to downhill and water ski and they spent many family afternoons sleigh riding the hills of Clarksburg or having their family game nights. Learning to drive standard transmission under Dad’s watchful eye became its own epic story to be retold with a smile. Gradually, as AJ and Linda found partners, Al embraced Sue and Graham into the fold, always making them feel equally special and loved. Sarah, Andrea, and Christine were his next generation of ‘Dollys’ and each has many special memories of his gentle love and teasing. As his family grew again with the marriage of his granddaughters, Jesse and Alex also felt his warmth. In the past five years, as a great-grandpa, each baby was fully welcomed into his open arms and heart. His family always knew they were loved.
In addition to his family time, Allan was a volunteer on the Clarksburg Fire Dept., promoted to Deputy Chief before retiring. He also served his community on the Clarksburg Business Association and the Chamber of Commerce. He was also active on the ski slopes, including annual trips to Tremblant/St Jovite, as well as water skiing and badminton. He and Saundra travelled the world, his personal highlight being their time on the island of Moorea, South Pacific. He was also an avid reader, particularly history of WWII which he remembers as a formative part of his childhood. Frequent entertainers, Al and Saun were known for their generous and relaxed hosting of family and friends. And while Al loved his home in Clarksburg, his truly happy place was on the shores of Georgian Bay at the original Lora Bay waterfront cottage built by his parents in the 1950s. Al and Saun bought the cottage from his parents in 1972. This love for the cottage and boating continues to this day with his children, their spouses, grandchildren and now, his great-grandchildren. Up until his recent illness, it wasn’t unusual to see Al working in his yard, trimming his granddaughters’ favourite “monkey shrub”, having a smoke and later in the afternoon, enjoying a rum or a rye with Saun while soaking up the last rays of a beautiful day on their front patio.
The family wish to thank Dr. Recoskie and April, the staff at both the Meaford and Owen Sound branches of the Brightshores Health System and the Southbridge Care Home, Owen Sound, for their outstanding care and compassion during the past few months. Cremation has taken place. All are welcome to attend a Celebration of Allan’s Life at the Marsh Street Centre in Clarksburg on Friday, October 3, 2025, from 1 until 3 p.m. A private graveside service will be conducted at Thornbury-Clarksburg Union Cemetery. As your expression of sympathy, donations to the Meaford Hospital Foundation would be appreciated and may be made through the Ferguson Funeral Home, 48 Boucher St. E., Meaford, ON, N4L 1B9, to whom arrangements have been entrusted.
