Alan Durance

Alan Durance. Minnie Durance (nee Reid). , Alan Durance left behind a legacy of accomplishments the likes of which most people only dream. It all began in 1919 at age 17 when he arrived from England with his parents and siblings and settled on a homestead farm two miles north of Dryden. , Anxious to get into business after working some six months in the finishing room at Dryden Paper, he rented a small shop and was soon busy repairing bicycles and sewing machines, work which he had done in England, and also selling Aladdin lamps on the side. In 1921, the Durance family got a General Motors dealership, the first car dealership in Dryden at a time when roads extended only 20 miles east and 40 miles west of Dryden and cars were brought in by rail. A highlight of those early days was the sale of a fleet of six trucks to Dryden Paper in 1925. , He started the first taxi service in Dryden, operating from the new car dealership at the corner of King and Earl, the present location of Earl’s Court. Then came the purchase of Latimer’s hardware store housed in the same building. In 1937 Dryden’s GM dealership moved across the street to a new building where the Red Eagle is now located. Then in the mid 50’s it was moved to the present site of Timbermax. , It was during this period that Alan met Dryden-born Minnie Reid and their marriage in 1926 was the start of a wonderful partnership. Minnie kept house, helped in the store, did the bookkeeping and drove taxi when needed. Minnie was always a part of their business dealings and it is doubtful if any decision was made without Minnie's involvement and input. All this at the same time as raising two sons, Ross and Bryon. , When he retired from the garage business, Alan entered municipal politics serving as mayor from 1963 to 1968. Alan's ability to bring people together to work for a common goal was his strength. Alan was described by Tommy Jones, former mayor and Mill Manager during the time Alan was mayor, as a very affable man and a hard worker doing a lot for the town and its residents that most never knew about. He also described Alan as an exceptional artisan, good at plumbing, carpentry and mechanics and “could do anything that came along.” , Alan was very community minded. Whenever someone asked him to do something he did it… and did it well. Some very visible accomplishments as mayor were overseeing a new sewage treatment plant, the overpass, and the creation of the airport commission which brought into being the present airport and with it, scheduled air service to Dryden. He was also a major participant in fund raising for a new arena, the first building for the present hospital and other worthwhile community projects. , And finally, Alan was a real gentleman! Alan passed away May 30, 1988.