A number of Luke’s colleagues have posted messages honouring his memory on Bob Dunsire’s forum. You can read these messages and post your own memories of Big Luke there.

On October 26, with his family by his side, Luke "Big Luke" Allan lost his battle with cancer. He was 73.

Mr. Allan was a member of Canada’s 78th Fraser Highlanders from Toronto for eleven years. During that time, the band became the first Canadian Pipe Band to win at the World Pipe Band competition in Scotland, in 1987. He was also a member of the Metro Toronto Police, Peel Regional Police pipe bands and the Polkemmet Pipe Band, West Lothian, Scotland. Most recently he was the bass drummer of the Grade 1, 78th Highlanders Halifax Citadel.

The World-renowned and highly respected bass drummer will be remembered for his influence on pipe band bass drumming and for his control of dynamics and timing which made his playing an essential part of the pipe band ensemble.

"The legendary Alex Duthart frequently said that Luke Allan was the world's greatest pipe band drummer, and often referred to him as a musical genius." - Andrew Berthoff, Editor of Piper & Drummer magazine.

Surviving are his wife, Elizabeth Danskin; daughters, Sharon (Drew), Milton, Ont.; Susan, Toronto, Ont.; son, Sean, Mississauga, Ont.; sisters, Teresa, Blantyre, Scotland; Sara, Scotland; brothers, Harry, Scotland; James, London, England; grandchildren, Lauren and Fiona.

On behalf of the ACPBA Membership and Executive, our condolences go to Luke Allan’s family.

Visitation will be Friday, October 29, from 7-9 p.m. in T.K. Barnard Funeral Home, 3460 Dutch Village Rd., Halifax, where funeral service will be Saturday, October 30, at 11 a.m., Father Gerald officiating. Burial at a later date. Donations to Vascular Surgery c/o QEII Foundation, 1278 Tower Rd., Halifax, NS B3H 2Y9.