It is with great sadness we share the passing of Allen Neil Tinker on October 3, 2024 at his home in Guelph, Ontario. He leaves behind his son Ian John Tinker (Stephanie) of Powell River, BC and Karen Ann Walker (Jeffrey) and his grandchildren Rachel, Emma, and Forest of Guelph, ON. Neil was predeceased by his mother, father, brother and wife.
Neil began his life of adventure on December 10, 1930 in Warrnambool, Australia where he grew up with his mother Vera (Price), father Stanley, and older brother Len. Neil spent his childhood teaching himself to build model airplanes and soap box cars, and later he and his brother raced motorcycles at a local off road course.
Although Neil was formally trained as a carpenter, his willingness to work hard and sense of adventure led him on many different paths across three continents, including building homes, surveying the DEW line in the Canadian Arctic, racing motorcycles on the European Grand Prix Circuit, owning a corner store in Warrnambool, working as a civil servant for the Ontario government's land development division, and co-owning a model airplane company.
Neil met his beloved wife Audrey Joy Westoby on a camping trip with the Toronto Youth Hostel association and they were married in 1959 in Toronto. Neil and Joy instilled their two children with their adventurous spirit and love of nature through canoe trips in Algonquin and Killarney Provincial Parks and hiking trips throughout Australia and Canada. In retirement, Neil moved to Guelph to be near his grandchildren, where he became an avid supporter at their hockey games, music concerts, and school events.
Time to continue your adventures with Mom, you will be forever loved and missed.
Thanks to the wonderful staff at the Alzheimer's Social Club day programat St Joseph's Hospital for providing Dad with some social opportunities and great programming. Special thanks to the PSWs, especially Eliece, and Bayshore Palliative nurses Emily and Leslie for your help, support and care this last year.
Neil's celebration of life will be held at the Arboretum Centre (200 Arboretum Rd, Guelph, ON) on November 24 from 12 to 3 pm, with a sharing of memories at 1 pm.
In memory of Neil, please consider donations to the Alzheimer's Society of Waterloo Wellington or the Guelph Hiking Trail Club.