Antique dealer and master British mechanic Allan James’ life and legacy will live on with his surviving wife, Diana; his children, Samantha and Nicholas; twin grandchildren, Eddie and Izzie; with a commitment to live life to the fullest.

Allan, a former resident of Southport, Maine, died Dec. 2, 2023 at the age of 72, after a courageous battle with cancer, surrounded by his family in Monterey, California.

Allan lived many different chapters in his life, achieving simple and profound accomplishments. He was born and raised in Mumbles, Wales, and it was always his dream to emigrate to America, after completing a six-year apprenticeship in motor mechanics.

He married the love of his life, Diana, in Wales in 1974 and emigrated to California, where he opened Mumbles Motors (San Rafael and Monterey). After raising his children, he and Diana moved to Maine in 1999 where for 17 years he pursued his lifelong passion for antiques and art. During his later years, he returned to Wales to run a small bakery in the village he grew up in. Upon the birth of his twin grandchildren in 2015, he and Diana moved to Hawaii and California to be near them.

The simplest pleasures brought joy and satisfaction to Allan. He had a deep love of the sea, having served on the RNLI (lifeboat) when he lived in Mumbles. He loved fishing and was an avid walker. He loved to tell stories of his life when he was a child in a small fishing village. He was shaped by the remarkable village characters he knew. He shared his wonderful Welsh wit with so many people who came to know and love him. He is survived by many siblings, niece and nephews in Wales.

He was the kindest and gentlest of men, generous in heart and spirit, and lived a life of integrity and commitment to his family. He believed in hard work and never giving up.

Allan always believed he would win the lottery. His family believes he won the lottery in life by his strong work ethic, his achievements, and the legacy he left behind for his children and grandchildren. Love beyond words, deeply missed, he lives in our hearts forever.