THUNDER BAY POST

Memorial trail honors son

The Editor;

  Our son, Dale Allen, well-known as "The Moose Hunter", passed away on Dec. 30, 1997 at the early age of 39 with malignant melanoma. His greatest love was his family and the outdoors. He was an ardent moose hunter and champion moose caller. Dale was truly a unique individual and he touched the lives of so many. He was extremely generous, giving so much of himself and always   placing others before himself. He was such a vibrant, alive and positive person who lived life to the fullest, did everything with so much gusto and accomplished so much at such a young age.

 

   As a loving tribute to our son Dale, we have cleared a special trail approximately a half-mile in length near his beloved log camp at Obonga Lake, which we have named "Dale's Trail" in his memory.

 

   One year ago, before Dale became ill with cancer, he and his father began flagging this trail for our moose hunting adventures together. This year, we have cleared and completed the trail. The setting is very picturesque, park-like and serene, with majestic virgin forest throughout. The ground is completely surrounded in moss and wildflowers, exactly the way Dale would have loved it. We hope many people will travel and enjoy Dale's Trail and think of Dale as they journey through it. We are hoping to find a couple of park benches to place on the trail so people may rest along the way.

 

   We are posting special signs along the trail that depict Dale's life with words and pictures, as well as wing chimes. When the breezes gently blow and the chimes begin to make lovely music, we feel that Dale is saying "Hello, how ya doing?" to all the passerby's and we strongly feel Dale's spirit is walking along with us. We know Dale would have loved it.

 

   Dale had a great many family and friends who loved him dearly and we thought it would be a wonderful gesture for those who knew Dale, and for those who did not but may have heard all about him, may wish to contribute a wind chime in memory of Dale and we will be sure to find a special place for it along the trail. All wind chimes may be dropped off at our home on highway 11/17 or please phone (807) 939-1512 or email themoosehunter@tbaytel.net   anytime for more particulars. As well, once the chimes are in place, a photograph will be taken of each chime, along with the name of the person who donated it and may be viewed in a special guest book at our sport shop.

 

   We still get so many beautiful calls and visits from caring family, friends and acquaintances who knew and respected Dale. We all have so many wonderful memories and stories to tell each other and in this way, Dale will live on forever in our hearts. We and our children, Angelic and Charles, are forever grateful for the overwhelming support and generosity of family, friends and the business community who gave so unselfishly of their time and energy towards Dale's benefit on Sept. 5, 1997. Over 1,000 people were in attendance, which speaks for itself how greatly Dale was loved and respected.

   Dale is gone, but not forgotten.

Unfortunately for Dale, his Doctors missed his cancer for 9 months. They said he had gastro problems. Their only excuse was " We are sorry, we made a mistake."

1989 - DALE ALLEN and his Dad shot this bull moose. This 4 1/2 year old bull moose was the largest bull documented that year. It stood 7 feet at the shoulders, with a 42 inch antler span, and dressed out at 600 lbs.

Map of Dale's Memorial Trail

Last update Sunday September 28, 2008