Obit: Allan Brewer

ALLAN BREWER 1952 – 2016

ObitIt is with great sadness that we announce the death of Almuñecar resident Allan Brewer, aged 63. Allan had been battling cancer for some time.

Allan was born in Kirkbymoorside, a small village in North Yorkshire. He was proud to be a Yorkshireman and loved the beautiful countryside in which he lived; he spent his childhood exploring, learning about the local wildlife, fishing, and hill walking. From a boy he had played football, cricket, golf, and squash.

He was a man who had a great thirst for knowledge, and an interest in many things. After leaving school, he qualified as a mechanical engineer and returned home to work in an aircraft manufacturing company Hawker Siddeley. He was frequently required to sit in on test flights – to test his design, he always said – and often took the controls. Luckily, he never crashed and was never caught! He did, however, become something of an aircraft geek, could name any aircraft, and spent many a happy hour making Airfix models.

In 1988 he married his wife Sue and they became landlords of a country pub/restaurant. Once again, Allan threw himself into the task with gusto, always personally checking the quality of the beer. After three years, Allan became bored with pub life and returned to engineering. In 2001, his role was to set up a company in North Croatia; it involved initially dealing with the Croatian mafia to buy the factory, and clearing the landmines around it. During his time there Allan was shot at by drunken locals who were target practising, he set his house on fire trying to heat it in the -30 degree temperatures, was regularly wined and dined by the Chief of Police who then drove him home drunk, and was required to sample several Fish Paprikas, which he hated, as honorary judge of the local Best Fish Paprika Contest.

In 2003, when Allan’s contract in Croatia ended, he and Sue came to Almuñécar for a ‘gap’ year, and stayed for another 12. Allan became a Scuba instructor and was as comfortable underwater as on dry land. He also loved to ski in the Sierra Nevada. He loved growing things and relished the challenge of growing exotic plants from seed and then giving them to friends or watching them thrive in the garden.

Allan made many friends in the Almuñecar area from all walks of life. He and his wife Sue became much loved members of the Royal Naval Association. He loved music and creating delicious spicy food. There was always a warm welcome at their lovely villa where much laughter could be heard at parties or get-togethers, usually at Allan’s antics. There were quite a few evenings spent putting the world to rights over a glass of good whisky or two – Allan’s favourite tipple.

There was never a dull moment when Allan was around – he had such a zest for life and learning about new things. One of the things on Allan’s bucket list was to visit his son, Simon, in Sydney, Australia. Allan and Sue managed to do this trip before Allan became too ill to travel. It was a wonderful trip for them both and gave them many happy memories. Even though he had been very ill he was still taking on new challenges with a first helicopter flight and another skydive!

A farewell ceremony was held on the playa at Marina del Este. Friends and family attended with some travelling over from the UK. As a fitting tribute Allan’s diving buddies took his ashes in a bio-degradable compressed salt urn out to sea and laid it on the sea bed to rest. Some of Allan’s favourite music was played on the beach and the many who came along enjoyed a very large buffet and drinks while celebrating and remembering his life.

He is survived by his wife Sue and children Sarah, Leah and both Simons, as well as four grandchildren.

RIP Allan, you will be missed.

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