CYRUS F. MCALLISTER

"Casting on" into his journey of eternal life, longtime Alaskan Cyrus Frederick McAllister, 93, passed away at his residence, Angel's Touch Assisted Living, on March 22, 2005, very peacefully and surrounded by his loved ones.

The family has decided to have a private memorial for him at their residence on Easter Sunday in front of a campfire, roasting hot dogs and reminiscing. For those of you who knew him, a moment of silence in his honor would be appreciated.

Mr. McAllister was born in Monett, Mo., on June 27, 1911 and came to Alaska in 1949, where he then became employed in Fairbanks for a few years. In 1952, he moved to Anchorage. He was a lifelong carpenter and had 60-plus years of service in Carpenter's Local 1281 - some might have known him as "Mack". Mr. McAllister was known for his strong work ethic in the industry.

His passions in life were hunting, fishing for silvers, telling jokes and watching sitcoms.

His family wrote, "His family and friends will remember him for many things, one of the most important is the example he set for his children and grandchildren. Those examples include faithfulness, moral behavior, strong work ethic and pleasure for the simple things in life. Cyrus loved to watch his sons and granddaughters grow and live life. His family will remember him for his jokes, his sincerity, his bluntness and being a great listener, and his avid coffee drinking, most of which he passed onto his sons. His pearls of wisdom will be missed by all of us who knew him."

He is survived by his two sons, Cyrus "Frank" McAllister of Wasilla and Jerry McAllister of Oregon. He is also survived by his granddaughters, Katie R. McAllister, Patricia McAllister and future in-law, Josh Dinwiddie, and a special friend named Smyles, all of Wasilla.

A special thank you goes to Angel's Touch Assisted Living and Beth and Eric Westland, for seven years of loving care and making "Mack" right at home in his last days!

Arrangements were with Kehl's Palmer Mortuary.