Hugh Anthony McAllister was born in Ballymoney Northern Ireland on March 5, 1932. Hugh was the 6th child in a family of ten that was raised on the family farm named “The Cross”, near Ballymoney Northern Ireland.

Hugh had a very entrepreneurial mindset and at a very young age he followed in his father’s footsteps driving a bread wagon at the age of 16. Developing his own sales territory with the Coop bread company in Northern Ireland. He was wildly successful in this pursuit. However, he had much bigger dreams that would eventually bring him to Canada in 1953.

From a young age, Hugh was a great conversationalist and could meet and have long chats with almost anyone with ease. His wry grin and blue eyes could keep you with him for longer than you ever anticipated. It was one of these chance encounters where he met his wife, Sheila Mitchel. Love at first sight and his eventual wife of 50 years. Anyone who knew him recalls that starting a conversation was easy. Leaving a conversation would take much more effort because he loved to visit and would make every encounter with those close to him last as long as it could.

Hugh and Sheila were married in 1951. Their first child was born shortly after they were married. Given the post-war environment, he was always interested in immigrating to North America from a very young age and feared that it may never happen. The opportunity presented itself come to Canada on an agriculture program, which he leapt at. In 1953 Hugh made his way by boat to Canada. Sheila and the two oldest children followed him in 1954. This opportunity set him on a 72-year path to live in Canada. He and Sheila grew a successful dairy farm and large Irish Catholic family.

They purchased the first quarter near Olds in 1963.

His family grew to nine children in this process, and remarkably he is survived by all nine of his children. He was predeceased by his father in 1963, and his mother in 1998 as well as his wife Sheila in 2002. He is survived by his children Margo of Red Deer, Marian of Wetaskiwin, Frank (Carol) of Olds, Brendan (Lori) of Sundre, Michael (Myrna) of Olds, Kevin (Tess) of Olds, Brian of Red Deer, Bernadette (Gary) of Camrose, and Patrick (Denise) of Calgary, 21 Grandchildren and 10 great grandchildren.

Funeral Mass will be held on Thursday, January 8, 2026 at the St. Stephens Catholic Church in Old at 1:00 p.m. with Father Alex Joseph celebrant.

Memorial tributes can be made directly to the Heart & Stroke foundation.

Condolences, memories and photos may be shared and viewed at www.heartlandfuneralservices.com. Arrangements in care of: Heartland Funeral Services Ltd., 5226 – 46 Street, Olds, Alberta. Phone: 403.507.8610

• Date : 2026-01-11
• Location : (Olds) Locally Family Owned (Red Deer/Blackfalds/Eckville) www.ParklandFuneralHome.com & (Innisfail/Olds/Didsbury/Sundre) www.HeartlandFuneralServices.com