In Loving Memory

Allan Anderson Chase was born to Rose Emmeline and Alva Alphonso Chase on April 16, 1955 in the city of Port of Spain, in the island nation of Trinidad and Tobago.  He was the first of five children born to this union.  The family migrated to Toronto, Canada when he was 13 years old. 

 
Being the first child, he was a natural leader and always nurtured and cared for his siblings.  Teaching and educating came natural to him as he mimicked his mom and dad’s zest to ensure that each child learned and learned well.    From a young age Allan had a natural affinity to music.  He was the youngest organist at the age of 9 at the San Juan SDA Church in Trinidad. His first church in Toronto was the well-known Shaw Street Church which became the Harvie Avenue Seventh-day Adventist Church, and is now the West Toronto Seventh-day Adventist Church located at Albion Road and Martin Grove Road in Etobicoke, Ontario, Canada. Again, Allan became an often sought after musician at the church and excelled as one of the youngest church organists.

 

Allan started his education in Trinidad at the San Juan SDA School.  In 1969 he migrated to Canada with his mom and dad and 4 siblings and continued his education at Ryerson Public school and then attended Central Technical School. Our parents’ commitment to Christian education ensured that he was enrolled at Kingsway College for his first 2 years of college.  He then completed his post-secondary education at Andrews University where he graduated with his degree in Music and Education.  Allan also received his Masters in Music & Arts in Education at Columbia University Teachers’ College, His illness snatched away his dream of completing his Doctorate just months before his completion.

 

Allan loved learning, life, and held a great respect for music and education.  He was an accomplished pianist, guitarist and mastered many instruments.  He would want to be remembered simply as a man who loved family, music, travel, cooking, and excellence in everything. 

 

His last wishes were to travel to Atlanta to visit with his eldest son Brandon and his wife and his precious grand babies Brandon II, Brielle, and Bravo then on to visit Florida to spend time with his sister Marva.  They were like two peas in a pod.  Marva supported him through all his medical concerns, though virtually she was his mainstay. They spent hours on the phone, chatting, laughing, catching up, they always bonded like glue.  He would then head to Halifax to spend time with his brother Brian and his family, then off again to Trinidad to see Auntie B, Joanne, Jordan and Donald, and finally to come to Canada, as long as it was warm, to spend time with Auntie Lily, Carol B. and numerous longtime friends, his baby sister Beverley and her family and take long walks to the lake as he loved to do. He would never get to experience this joy as he was overcome with his heart illness on January 23, 2023. 

 

Allan was a well-respected resident of at least 3 states, 2 islands and many provinces. He left a legacy of great musicianship and an excellent educator in Wisconsin, St. Croix, New York, Michigan, San Gabriel, California, and Boston. He began his legacy as educator extra ordinaire from our home in Trinidad as all four siblings sat at his feet as he taught us simple things like how to play marbles, climb a mango tree, or trick mom and dad to believing that we all practiced our piano lessons before they arrived home from work.  Allan was an influencer in the computer lab, with music creation and production, counseling, and finance. He will always be remembered as one of the most talented musicians to cross the doors of San Juan SDA Church, Harvie Avenue Church and Hanson Place SDA Church and school. Allan dedicated his life to music and education. He used music to educate and his education to create beautiful music.  He leaves behind his legacy in his sons Brandon and Jeremy, both talented musicians.  There are many successful individuals, who dared to follow his lead, and wisdom, who will and do sing his praises.  There will be a host of individuals, if not generations that will miss and grieve his expertise and guidance. Marva always told him he was a Rockstar in her book! He has positively impacted so many lives.  

 

Allan’s love for God was shared with family, hundreds of teachers, students, friends, relatives, and co-workers over the years.  Allan is predeceased by his wife Jocelyn Ann Bovell, father Alva Alphonso Chase, his mother Rose Emmeline (Walker) Chase, and sister Cheryl Arlene (Chase) Woods. He will be lovingly missed by his eldest son Brandon and wife Brittney, grandchildren Brandon II, Brielle and Bravo, son Jeremy, sister Marva Ann (Chase) Hanson, niece Rochelle (Hanson) Burton, brother Brian Chase, sister-in-law Carolyn Chase, nephews Matthew, Alexander and Andrew, sister Beverley (Chase) Lewis, brother-in-law Chester Lewis, nieces Léaundra Lewis, and Lauriel Lewis, along with a number of extended family, cousins, aunts, loved ones and friends.

 

The strength and courage Allan displayed over the last few years as he fought his illness will give us courage to face whatever struggles may come to us.  His constant will to live and beat whatever was stopping him from living well will remind us that each day is a gift, and we should live it to the fullest.

Rawlins Joseph, fondly known to Allan's boys as "Uncle Rallo", was a constant source of support and encouragement for Allan over at least 40 years.  In every conversation with Allan you would be sure to hear mention of the conversations he had with Rawlins.  Rawlins was more like a brother than a friend.  Our heart felt thanks to you Rawlins.  We could not have made it through this without you.

 

Thank you for the unimaginable support of friends, family and well wishers who have made this time so bearable. It is our prayer that when Jesus calls his children on that blissful morn, we will be a part in that glorious event.  Rest peacefully my big brother.