Alan Mirabelli - Obituary

MIRABELLI, Alan 1948 - 2017 Ottawa, Ontario

Alan arrived in Canada, the country he loved, as a young child with his parents Robert and Lisette and his sister Marilyn (Toronto), following a short time in the U.K. where he lived with his family after fleeing Egypt as refugees of war. ​

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As a Communications student at Loyola College in Montreal he worked at American Express including at the corporate pavilion at Expo 67 in Montreal. After graduating with a Master's Degree in Communication from Fairfield University in Connecticut. Alan became a professor at Loyola University in Montreal.

 Relocating to Ottawa in the mid-seventies, Alan made a difference for families in Canada as Co-Executive Director with Dr. Robert Glossop at the Vanier Institute of the Family for more than 30 years. Following his 1998 sabbatical, spent in BC, Alan discovered this county's beauty through new eyes and captured the nature of relationship in his powerful and evocative images. Alan's photographs can be found in homes and offices across Canada and at the Ottawa Art Gallery. 

While his accomplishments were many, the one he was most proud of was his son Michel, who with his wife Alison are raising his five amazing grandchildren Ava, Ben, Tommy, Lucas and Leah.

Alan spent the past 40 years in the community of Almonte and village of Appleton where he found joy in his many friendships with neighbours and colleagues in the artist community. He was a mentor to many and to the end of his last chapter he continued to meet with budding artists, young people and children guiding them to become the best of themselves in their creative pursuits.

A Celebration of Alan's life will be held on January 20, 2018 at 2:00 p.m. at the First Unitarian Church located at 30 Cleary Ave in Ottawa. In lieu of flowers donations can be made to the Alan Mirabelli Fund at the Vanier Institute or a charity of your choice that brings you joy and happiness. Arrangements entrusted to Alan R. Barker Funeral Home 19 McArthur Avenue, Carleton Place. http://www.barkerfh.com/