Alan Dacombe, of Milford, Prince Edward County passed away peacefully on the evening of September 1, 2025, with the love of his family around him. Alan was a man who loved words and history, the warmth of the sun on his face, walking his fields, but most of all his family, including many beloved dogs and cats. He leaves Ann, his wife of 67 years, and his four children, Elizabeth (Andy), Deborah (Stephen), Susan (Alan), and John (Wanda). Also, his grandchildren, Caili (George), Owen (Jess), and Sinclair (Crystal), and his three great grandchildren, Avey, Maya and Sonny. Alan was born on July 15, 1931 in Portsmouth, England, to Ivy Edith and John (Jack) Dacombe. As a young boy, he spent much treasured time with his Auntie Judy, Uncle Jimmy and cousin Jill. He attended the Royal Military Academy Sandhurst in the late 1940s, training as an officer for the British Army, and was deployed to the Suez Canal, Egypt. In 1953 Alan emigrated to Canada, finding himself in Toronto with few dollars but many hopes and dreams. There he met Ann, whom he married in 1958, becoming involved in the business world of insurance, moving his family to Vancouver in the 1970s and also working and living in the USA. It was the old Dainard farm south of Milford that Ann and Alan purchased in the early 1970s where Alan’s heart really soared and where his family set down roots. He retired at the early age of 51 to raise sheep. Alan was complicated, stubborn, entertaining, quick to laugh and often mischievous. A man of good stature and strength. He loved food, travel, books and things. We, his family, want to thank his friends, those who have come and gone and those who have stayed. We want to thank all the healthcare individuals who helped us keep Dad at home for as long as we could. We especially want to thank the staff at H.J. McFarland Home for their great care and compassion over the last five months. We were constantly impressed. British soldier, businessman, sheep farmer, lover of history, music, and animals, husband, father, bon vivant, raconteur; he will not be soon forgotten. Alan’s ashes will be scattered in a private ceremony.
On the day I die, when I’m being carried
toward the grave, don’t weep.
He’s gone! He’s gone. Death has nothing
to do with going away. The sun sets and
the moon sets, but they’re not gone.
Death is a coming together. The tomb
looks like a prison, but it’s really
release into union. The human seed goes
down in the ground like a bucket into
the well where Joseph is. It grows and
comes up full of some unimagined beauty.
Your mouth closes here and immediately
opens with a shout of joy there.
Rumi
Arrangements entrusted to Rushnell Funeral Homes – Picton Chapel, 33 Main Street (613-476-2450). Online condolences at: www.rushnellfuneralhomes.com