Al Hooge Was a Steady Volunteer and Board Member with a Heart for People in Prison

Last Friday, Allan Hooge passed away. Al was a long-time donor and volunteer, and had been serving on our Board of Directors since January 2019. He was 71 years old. 

We at M2/W2 Association are saddened by the news of Al’s passing, and offer our prayers and sympathies to his wife, Jean, and all of Al’s family, friends, and loved ones. We’re so thankful for Al and the countless ways he helped our organization through the years. We will miss you, Al! 

Al began volunteering in prisons in the 1990s, when he served as a chaplaincy volunteer at Stave Lake Correctional Centre. He helped with chapel services at Stave Lake until the facility closed in 2002. From there, Al and his chaplaincy group began serving at Ferndale Institution, which is now known as Mission Minimum. 

He began volunteering as a prison mentor with our organization in 2005.

When Executive Director Raymond Robyn started in 2015, Al was a member of his volunteer team at Mountain Institution in Agassiz. 

“Al embodied mentorship,” Raymond said. “His prison matches became long-term friends that he poured himself into, believing that each one of them would experience the grace and love of Christ.” 

In January 2019, Al joined our Board of Directors, and served on the personnel committee. He remained in this capacity until late 2021, when he requested a leave of absence due to his declining health. 

According to M2/W2 Board Chair Bill Veenstra, Al brought tacit consistency to the Board. He was someone who offered timely insights and observations.  

Bill said, “Al was a quiet, stable, and solid presence on our Board. He was very practical in trying to encourage people to meet their potential. By volunteering with M2/W2 all those years, I think he saw a way to contribute to someone else’s redemption.” 

A celebration of Al’s life will be held at 2:30 pm on Thursday March 10, 2022, at New Life Church in Abbotsford. All are welcome.