Alan Todd

Alan Todd: darling father, partner, son, brother, uncle, friend, creative soul, artist, traveller, activist, independent thinker, athlete, seeker, helper, hugger, humanitarian. Alan passed peacefully at home in the loving company of his family on May 22, 2017. Born to loving parents Bill and Helen in Victoria, B.C., he and cherished sister Linda were raised in the Toronto area. He later pursued his creative passion at the Ontario College of Art and Design from which he graduated as an industrial designer. His creative legacy was developed through work with the Canadian Government Exhibition Commission and in his design business - enhancing museums, exhibits and graphic productions in Ottawa and beyond. He later spent 20 creatively fulfilling years working at the National Gallery of Canada, eventually becoming Chief of Design (aka "the tallest designer") and retiring in 2007. Alan was an intrepid world traveller and deeply adventurous soul. He generously and joyfully lived his life in the service of others as a man of the people with a strong sense of community and deep love of all he encountered. As a father and partner, he inspired in his family a wonder and delight in life, as well as courage in living authentically and expressively. In the natural world he found a spiritual home that he fiercely protected through his activism, volunteer work and lifestyle. We envision his joyful spirit to be as free as a bird and as bright as the sunrise. He will be deeply missed by his adoring family: Brittany, Jocelyn, Meredith, Linda, Dave, Ryan, Craig and Brent, as well as extended family and countless friends who love him.

Please join us for a celebration of life memorial in loving memory of Alan Todd

Location: Café des Beaux-Arts,

National Gallery of Canada, 380 Sussex Drive

Date: Friday, June 23, 2017

Time: 6:00 - 9:00 pm

Refreshments provided and bar service available during the event.

A colourful tribute to a life beautifully lived!

We invite you to join us in honouring our dear Alan, the eternal joyful optimist. Alan wasn't one to let convention interfere with the deeper things. His reverence for life was balanced with a belief in not taking it too seriously. In that spirit we wish to mark his passing with loving respect but not somber gloom; to celebrate him as he unfailingly celebrated all of us – with joy, sincerity, and great love. Join us to remember, to cry and to laugh. As Alan would say, "let it all hang out!" Please come as you are comfortable, and not necessarily in black – perhaps inspired by your favourite crazy Alan Todd outfit!

Help us raise a glass, literally and figuratively, to our one and only Alan. To paraphrase one of his often-used expressions, "it would be great to be seen by you!"

In honour of Alan, the family asks that you spread goodwill and if inspired to do so, contribute to Ottawa Riverkeeper, The Malala Fund, or your favourite charitable organization. As Alan would say: Keep Rockin’!