Al Dumont was generous to a fault when it came to others, but couldn't stand spending money on himself. He would have a fit if he saw the length of his obituary!
On January 30, 2021, Al finally used up the last of his "borrowed time".
Alphonse Joseph Dumont was the youngest of nine born in Edmonton, Alberta. His siblings, unimpressed by his name, promptly nicknamed him "Mickey", which stuck until he reclaimed the name "Al" when he signed up with the Air Cadets and was swept up into the world of flight.
Al claimed he never worked a day in his life. From jockeying the Canadair Sabre for the RCAF, to braving the Arctic in his favourite ride, the DC-3, to flying jumbos for Wardair and Canadian, he lived the career of his dreams.
It was at Wardair that he was beguiled by the charms of his one and only sweetie, Tina (née Kasteel), one of the "dollies working the cabin". His 48 year marriage to Tina, his four children, Tymen (Tasha), Lawrence (Stefany), Paul (Amanda) and Jeannine (Thomas), and thirteen grandchildren were his greatest treasures in life. He was a very loving husband and a proud father and granddad, and often hugged us tightly to remind us.
No one valued family and friends more than Al. He and Tina often travelled to visit their far-flung friends and relatives, and he always appreciated the efforts they all made to visit us on the coast. There seemed to be a constant stream of company through the house, and Al relished his role as host.
He would often be found holding court on the back deck, a rye and coke in his hand, telling endless tales of his flying days (often finishing with, "Better keep that to yourself, that's probably still classified!"). Al had an irreverent sense of humour and loved nothing more than to poke fun at himself. He always tried to tell his jokes straight-faced, but a sly little smile always gave him away!
Although he and Tina lived in South Surrey for 40 years, Al never stopped being an Alberta boy, and that meant loading up his SUV into his 70's and heading out on the hunt with his best friend Max.
After retirement, Al found renewed purpose serving with the Knights of Columbus and was happy to pitch in where needed or join in a game of poker. A lifelong Catholic, nothing brought him more fulfillment than his weekly eucharistic adoration at the Star of the Sea Parish.
Al led by example, and his greatest lesson was how to live a purposeful life. He was a humble man, but he was also a gentleman who walked tall. Though we all miss him terribly, we are happy he's flying again!
A funeral mass for Al Dumont was held at Good Shepherd Church on February 10, 2021.
Raincoast Funeral and Cremation Services - 604-326-1454
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