Obituary of Alan Holt

ALAN ROBERT HOLT SEPTEMBER 12, 1933 - SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 5, 2016 Alan passed away on Saturday, November 5, 2016 with his wife and children by his side after a long and courageous struggle from complications of Alzheimer's disease. Alan was predeceased by his loving wife of 45 years, Jennifer Rosemary Holt (Buckley). Alan is survived by his devoted wife of 12 years, Lynne Holt (Wasylyk). Alan will be deeply missed by his daughter, Leslie Anne Tayler (Greg) and son, David Alan Holt (Annette); his three grandchildren, Andrew Holt, Cassidy Holt and Sam Tayler. Alan is also survived by his sister, Gaynor Newall and her children, Jane Newall and Robert Newall. Alan was born in England on September 12, 1933 he attended the Liverpool College of Technology in Liverpool, England with a degree in Civil Engineering in 1956. Alan was recruited by Ontario Hydro in 1956 and began his career in Canada when he landed in Kenora, Ontario as a young engineer. His career was an incredible journey of hard work and determination and on May 20, 1991 Alan was appointed President and CEO of the Corporation. Alan was a member of the Association of Professional Engineers of Ontario. During his 38 year career with Hydro, Alan held numerous positions associated with the design and construction of hydro-electric and thermal power stations, as well as assignments in the finance and human resource areas. He successfully held the positions of Director of Fuels, Vice-President of Supply and Services and Vice President of Corporate Planning with the responsibility for procurement, information services, systems and corporate business planning, non-utility generation and the environment. Alan was a motivating leader who stayed close to the people he worked with. One of the areas in which he aggressively addressed and made a priority was the matter of employee safety. Upon his retirement from Ontario Hydro, Alan served two, three year terms on the Board of Directors for the Great Lakes St. Lawrence Seaway System. Alan was passionate about the game of golf with an incredible amount of respect for the game. Alan was a former member of Meadowbrook Golf and Country Club which he joined in 1976. In 1992, Alan joined York Downs Golf and Country Club where he served on the Board of Directors for the Club and was instrumental in the design and re-build of the practice facility. Alan was also a member of Black Diamond Golf and Country Club in Lecanto, Florida. Alan received great pleasure in recording two hole in ones, one at York Downs and one at Black Diamond. Alan's passion for golf and business went hand in hand and provided him with the opportunity to play some of the greatest golf courses in the world including twice at Augusta National Golf Club with the opportunity to stay in the famous Butler Cabin. Alan played in many Pro-Amateur events with a list of the great golfers of all time; Jack Nicklaus, Raymond Floyd, Fuzzy Zoeller, Johnny Miller and Julie Inkster to name a few. As a father, grandfather and a friend, Alan will be greatly missed for his valuable advice and life insight. His family will remember him for the dream that anything is possible, if you are passionate about what you do, work hard and stay committed to your life goals. Alan's mother, Hilary and father, Alfred would be incredibly proud of their son who left England in 1956 to Canada and rose to the top in business and in life. A Memorial Service will be held on Saturday, November 19, 2016 at Dixon- Garland Funeral Home, 166 Main Street, North of (Hwy. 48) in Markham. 10:30 a.m. welcome friends and family, 11:00 a.m. Celebration of Alan's life, after the service Alan's family would like to invite everyone for a small lunch and refreshments also held at Dixon Garland. Alan's family would like to extend special thanks to the staff at Sunrise Senior Living Unionville who cared for Alan with compassion, and the doctors and nurses at Markham Stouffville Hospital that helped Alan and his family during his brief illness. In lieu of flowers, donations in Alan's name would be appreciated to: The Alzheimer's Association of Canada or the Markham Stouffville Hospital Foundation.