Death
It is with profound sadness we announce the sudden passing of Alistair Alfred Potts, March 30, 2021 in his 74th year. He leaves behind his devastated best friend, soul mate, love of his life & wife Sandra (Sam).He was the proud, caring father & grandfather of son Michael and daughter Katherine, step-children Stacey Mountford (Brent); Jay Bachand (Shannon): He will be missed by his grandchildren Clayton Boers, Mackenzie (Graeme), Madison (Brooke) & Ashton Mountford, Noah and Shannon Bachand, Emily and Owen Weiler; He loved his second family, Mother-in-law Betty St John, Sister-in Laws Cathy Hartfield(Brad), the late Cheryl Roberts(Gary),Brother-in-law Russ St John (Rita) and numerous nieces & nephews; His special friends were like family, Doug & Sandi Wight and Ron & Sandy Graham; treasured Aunt Philippa Christie, Scotland UK, cousins Ralph (Sophie) Houston, Scotland UK, Cathy Buckrell (Brian), Bill Leithhead (Nancy), John Leithead (Lise).
He thoroughly loved his over 30 year banking career (including RBC, a brief stint with Bank of Nova Scotia before he was head hunted by CIBC from which he retired). It was the wonderful people he met in his numerous management roles that ignited his passion and friendships.
In retirement he lived a full life in his home on the lake in the Spring, Summer months and in his home in Florida, Fall & Winter. He and Sam travelled the world extensively, especially loving to cruise. His favourite hobbies were golfing and entertaining their many friends with BBQ’s.
Very charismatic with a wonderful sense of humour, he was always engaging and could tell stories for hours.
A private family service will take place. A Celebration of his life will follow when it is COVID safe. In lieu of flowers, donations to the Terry Fox Foundation would be sincerely appreciated. Online condolences jwhartfuneralhome.com
Our deepest sympathy to Sandra and your family. May all your wonderful memories help you through the difficult days ahead.
Deb and I are sorry to hear of Al’s passing. Our thoughts are with Sam and the family.
Deb and Kirk Dewar (neighbours)
Our deepest condolences to Sandra and all the family
Our Sympathy Tom and Lois
RIP AL
My deepest sympathy to you and family, Sam.
So sorry to hear such sad news.
Sending hugs.
Kirsten
Sam, you and family have our deepest condolences at this terrible news. We are truly shocked to hear about Al . He will definitely be missed. We will keep you in our thoughts and prayers.
Sam & family…words are at a loss for us as we read this….know that we are with you in thoughts, prayers and heartfelt sympathy……keep a tight hold on your many memories…they will hold you steadfast in the days to follow…hugs to you & yours…Rich & Ann
Sam and family, I am so sorry to hear this very sad news. My thoughts are with you and prayers for strength as you go through this difficult journey. My heart breaks for you.
This was very sad news indeed. Our thoughts and prayers are with your entire family Sam. God bless!
Sam we are so sorry to hear of Al’s passing he was a great man our condolences to you and your wonderful family. Prayers are being sent to you along with hugs
Dear Sam and Family
We are devastated at the news of your loss of Al…He was a wonderful man and will be truly missed by all. Our thoughts and prayers are with you and your family.
Sam and family. I am saddened to hear of Al’s passing. He will be greatly missed by all.
Sam and family, Tom and I are so sorry to hear about Al. Our hearts are aching for you. May all your wonderful memories give you some peace during this very difficult time.
Sam,
Our sincere condolences to you and your family during this difficult time.
Thoughts, hugs and prayers for all of you. Al will be missed by our Lake Fairways Family. Take Care!
My deepest sympathy to you Sandy and all your family. I didn’t get to know Al that well but he was alway ready to make me feel welcome. He will be truly missed. RIP Al! Barb
Sam, we are so sorry for your loss. Al was a special guy who showed kindness and goodwill to everyone. He told the best stories and had such a sense of humour. He will be missed. Florida evenings are especially fondly remembered.
The two of you were an awesome couple, enjoying retirement together in your travels and lakeshore home. You built lots of memories.
We send our condolences, and wish you peace and healing.
Love from Ron & Pat
Hi Sam, Nancy & I are still in disbelieve that Al is no longer with us. As Al’s cousin, I have known him all my life. We were both born in Scotland and immigrated to Canada around the 1950’s. Our parents struggled to make a new life in Canada and in the early years we visited often and at one point we lived together while mom & dad were moving between houses. We subsequently moved to Guelph and Al & his parents to Burlington. Our lives went separate ways but there was always the family get togethers on special occasions. Al at one stage as a small boy came to live with us in Guelph for several weeks while his mother was in hospital. My mother always loved seeing Al and he held a special place in her heart. In later years, I joined the Royal Bank as did Al and his brother John. I lost touch with Al for about 15 years when I was transferred to Montreal. In 1983, however I was transferred back to Ontario and located in Burlington. We renewed our contact and in later years would get together with Sam & Al to celebrate special occasions such as Al’s dad 90th birthday. For the past 10 years Al & I did get together to play in my brother’s annual memorial golf tournament in Guelph for his first wife Cheryl. We always played together and from the moment AL stepped out of his car, he had you in stitches with his quick wit and humour. It was always a fun day and times I will always cherish. We are all going to miss him.
Sam, our deepest sympathy goes out to you and the family. RIP AL.
Love Nancy & Bill xo
My condolences to the family.
Dear Michael, I am really sorry to hear about your father. My sincere condolences to you and your family during this difficult time, my prayers for you and family. Take care!!
Mike, God gives you the strength and courage to bear the loss of your father. My deepest condolences to you and your family.
My thoughts are with you Sandy and your familys..Al was such exceptional man ..loved his sense of humor..My prayer are with and your familys..hugs
Dear Sandy:
so very sorry for your loss Sandy. Know that you are not alone and there are so many people to reach out and talk with when you are ready. Sorry for the entire family at this difficult time. Sometimes a day at a time is too long , all you need is a BREATH AT A TIME.
Love and Prayers to all of you
Pat and Brian
Very sad to hear of Al’s sudden passing. We did some work together on a CIBC project and it was clear he was a dedicated employee who did excellent work. Condolences to the family. May he rest in peace.
Our sympathy Sam to you and your family. Prayers
I had the pleasure of working with Al at CIBC a number of years ago and seeing him semi-annually, since then, at the CIBC Retirees Golf events. He was a kind and caring individual and I was saddened to learn of his recent passing. I extend my deepest condolences to the entire Potts family and your loss. Al was truly one of the “good guys” and my he rest in peace.
Sandy, we are so sorry you have lost the love of your life and we will always be there for you. Our deepest condolences to you and your family.
I am deeply saddened to have lost my best friend of 45 plus years. We first met in 1975/76 when we worked together at a RBC branch in Sarina. We bonded immediately. I love Al like a brother. Sandi and I both enjoyed Al’s friendship over the years and that later included Sandy (Sam). The four of us bonded in so many ways.
We are so very sad by Al’s sudden passing.
When Sandi and I retired in 2015 we started to travel and spent more time with Al and Sandy in Florida, and we were able to plan other trips with them as well. We enjoyed each others company and having fun was always a requirement. There were many laughs and adventures that we were meant to have. We can’t begin to express how much Al will be missed. We were looking forward to many more adventures to enjoy together.
They say you are very lucky if you have one true friend in your lifetime. That’s what I felt Al and I had. We shared everything and were there for each other through all the up’s and down’s.
Al had a terrific sense of humour, a great comedic way of telling jokes or stories, a devilish smile and laugh. He had so many great qualities: smart, quick witted, great smile and laugh, loving, trust, respect, reliable, funny, memory like an elephant and a great story teller.
We were like brothers. We could always find something to talk about and sometimes laughed at the silliest things – feeding off of each others banter. We would get each other going and enjoyed many laughs. We each knew we would always be there for each other. I will miss seeing him, talking to him, laughing with him. He was a terrific guy.
It is like a dark cloud has covered the sun. You will be truly missed everyday.
Rest in peace Al. We will cherish our friendship forever, think of you often and you will be in our hearts forever.
All our love, Doug & Sandi Wight
Dear Sam. We are so saddened to hear of your loss of Al. You have been in our thoughts and prayers. Our sincere sympathies to you and your family. Stay well! Sandy and Kevin
Dear Sam and Family,
I am so shocked and saddened by the news of Al’s sudden passing. When I spoke to him not long ago he was the same witty, strong willed jokester that I met in high school. I was lucky to be counted among his friends.
Words cannot describe how much he will be missed.
Love from Bill and Lynne
I’m so sorry for the loss of your father Mike. Please accept my deepest condolences. My thoughts and prayers are with you and your loved ones right now… I hope you’re able to find peace through the good memories you had with him.
Hi Sam, I am so sorry to hear of Al’s passing. So many years have passed since our days at Br. Ops (RBC). With my office next to Al’s I was able to partake of his many stories and jokes always told with great passion and enthusiasm. I know Al will be missed by you, your families, and your many friends. May he rest in peace…. Ray
Dear Sam & Family…..We were so sorry to learn that our dear friend Al had passed away. We know that he was experiencing some very serious health issues, but we never heard him complain and it certainly didn’t slow him down. Al was a very smart intelligent man and it was a pleasure to have worked with him for a number of years at CIBC. He always came to our meetings well prepared and we had the utmost confidence in his recommendations. On a personal note, Norma & I really enjoyed our times together with you and Al and we had many good laughs. Al had a great sense of humour and was such a great story teller that he would have us in stitches much of the time. We will especially miss our Cruise times together. Sam, you were certainly his rock and anyone could see that the bond between the two of you was very Special. We extend our sincere sympathy to the family. May the memories that you made and shared together over the years bring you comfort in the days ahead. Love John & Norma
Dear Sam & families:
“Hold tight to your memories for comfort
Lean on friends for support and
Always remember that you are cared about”
Al’s unique friendship enriched so many of our lives and that is missed already.
With much affection
Steve & Dave
I’m sorry to hear of your loss. You will find strength day by day.
Sandra and family,
We are so sorry to hear of the passing of Alistair. He was such a very nice man and Dr. Carter really enjoyed his visits with him.
Our condolences to you Sandra and all of his family.
We are thinking of you all in this very difficult time.
Chantel and Dr. Carter
Al was someone I looked forward to seeing each morning when we worked together at RBC. He was always wanting me to tell him a joke to start his day at work with a chuckle. Another good guys gone too soon in life.