Grieving father finds healing by helping hundreds in need

Howie Allan is on an unexpected journey that began where life often ends.

SAANICH, B.C. — Howie Allan is on an unexpected journey that began where life often ends.

A decade ago, he started visiting a burial park and cleaning the headstones of up to 100 strangers a day.

“I just pay my respects,” Howie says, before pouring water on the grave and scrubbing it clean.

Although he suffered a stroke that left him paralyzed on the right side, he volunteers here for hours.

“There’s not much I can do,” he says.

But, after his son died in a workplace accident in China and strangers raised thousands to help bring his boys remains back home, this is what Howie felt he had to do.

After he scrubs everyone else’s headstone, he takes a deep breath and begins wiping his son's.