Skip to content

POSTCARD MEMORIES: Remembering Allan Haldenby

Founding member of Innisfil Historical Society held ministerial positions in various locales

Postcard Memories is a series of historic views, stories, and photos of Innisfil and the area, a trip down memory lane on a Saturday morning.

2022 is the 50th anniversary of the Innisfil Historical Society.  To celebrate, we remember some of the founding members.

Rev. Allan Haldenby, 1919-2002

A native of northern Ontario, Allan Haldenby spent some time in both the Air Force and Army.

Haldenby’s first experience in Innisfil was in 1965 when he accepted a ministerial appointment to the joint charge of St. Paul’s Anglican and St. Peter’s Anglican in Churchill, where he remained until 1968.

His ministry took him to varied locations of Elmsdale, Little Current, Dawson City, Islington, Long Branch, and Newcastle. He served as archdeacon of the Klondike and regional dean of Etobicoke.

Upon retirement in 1985, Haldenby and his wife, Grace, chose to return to the Barrie/Innisfil area, where they soon became involved in local churches and groups. This led him to become part of the local genealogical society. As well, he accepted the position of vice-president of Innisfil Historical Society in 1990 and then president in 1991 and 1992.

“My father had the most unique habit of record keeping. After he met people or they visited him in his church office, he always prepared an index card to keep track of pertinent information. He was a gentleman and a very good listener,” said Esther Haldenby Ross.