Alan George Magaw

Alan George Magaw, 86, passed away with his family by his side on March 7, 2025.
Born on November 15, 1938, Al was the only son of Carol and Elmer Magaw. As a child, they lived in Northern B.C. and Calgary. They then settled on the west coast of Canada. Al served with the Air Force as a young man and at that time met Carol Muise. They married in 1958 and had 6 children. They moved to Salmo, B.C. in 1964. Al enjoyed spending time with his kids, teaching them sports and skills such as horse back riding, skiing, dog training and racing. Al was a competitive man and gave his kids plenty of opportunities to compete in a variety of events.
Al was a man of many talents, and had careers in sales and print newspaper, starting up and running the Salmo Valley Reporter for a few years. Al eventually settled into a career as a commercial painter and was successful at that for many years. Al continued his passion for animals throughout his life, always having horses, cats and especially dogs. In 1977 Al became involved in sled dog racing which became his biggest passion. He achieved success at this, travelling north and south to attend and be quite competitive in countless races. Al was very active in the community, helping over the years with the Salmo Ski Hill, Salmo Lions Club, and he was very involved in sled dog racing clubs throughout Canada and the U.S.
In his later years, Al took on a more active role in training dogs with serious behaviour issues, “third strike dogs” he called them. He was able to save many dogs with his methods and place them in new, happy homes. He greatly enjoyed sharing his love of sled dogs, mentoring other mushers and providing countless tours on the beautiful trails through the backyard and along the river.
Al loved Salmo and felt most at home there. He loved the mountain air and the people, the fresh water and the wilderness.
Al was extremely proud of all his kids, grandchildren and great grandchildren and loved to share how proud he was of them all.
Al was preceded in death by his parents and his daughter Pamela. He is survived by his children, daughter Caran Magaw, her children Tyler (Ania), Robyn (Dan) and Caley (Scottie); son Steve (Donna) Magaw, their children Marissa and Matthew; daughter Teresa Magaw, her children Ashley (Ryan) and their daughter Aria, Andrea and her son Cohen, and James (Brittany) and their children Lilly and Jake; daughter Linda (Mike) Hopp and their children Aidan and Emily; daughter Alisa (Gerald) Trembecki and their children Char and her daughter Liax, Kiera and Kamryn.
A celebration of life for Al will be held at a later date, to be announced.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to Salmo Community services in his honour https://scrs.ca/

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