A proud native son of Victoria has died. Alexander Gordon Stewart, the fourth and final Alex Stewart in his family, died in Victoria on May 26, 2023 at 95 years of age.
Alex was the son of Alex T. Stewart and Agnes (Newbigging) Stewart. Agnes was a daughter of the Wain family and related to the Horth clan, both pioneering families of North Saanich, who are honoured by regional landmarks. Alexander Gordon was the grandson of Victoria Mayor Alex Stewart, who, in 1896, established Stewart Monumental Works on May St., where it continues to operate today. Alexander Gordon’s father was the advertising manager at the Victoria Daily Colonist. Alex was very proud of his family’s history and connection to Victoria.
Alex spent 35 years in the BC public service as a technician and manager of the electronics unit of the BC Forest Service. In 1963, Alex was lauded for his development of the first lightning-detection system in BC. The system was quickly put to use by the Forest Service’s wildfire branch to track lightning storms, a major cause of wildfires in the province.
Alex was an early adopter of computers and spent many years in retirement, along with his friend Rick Williams, refurbishing used computers for delivery to people who needed assistance. Like his father, Alex was also an avid amateur radio (HAM) enthusiast, a hobby that brought friendships and connections around the world.
Alex was predeceased by his wife Marjorie (Wride) Stewart. He leaves to mourn his daughters Carolyn Davidson and Wendy Stewart, as well as, two granddaughters and great grandchildren. He will also be missed by long-time friends Maxine Russell, Rick Williams and Barbara Wright. The family thanks Dr. Shannon Houston for her attentive care as well as the very kind staff of 5 North at Royal Jubilee Hospital for their commitment and dedication to Alex during his last weeks. No service by request.
Condolences may be offered to the family below.
McCall Gardens
www.mccallgardens.com
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Rick Williams
Alex was a generous, knowledgeable, honourable man with a great dry sense of humour. We met on the air via ham radio when I lived in Kelowna and he was volunteering here in Victoria with the amateur radio component of the BC Provincial Emergency Programme (PEP). I finally met him face to face when I moved back to Victoria in 1991. When I retired Alex was quick to enlist me as his assistant at MS Society where he had started, maintained and promoted the distribution of free computers to MS Society clients throughout greater Victoria.
We spoke regularly on topics ranging from the repair of antique radios, to the merits of various computer operating systems to politics! He was a voracious reader of history, politics and technology and to keep up on current affairs the latest copy of The Economist was close at hand! Alex was a patient mentor, always willing to share his knowledge and his time.
We all will miss him!
Rick & Doris Williams