Joseph Alexander Wilson
July 11, 1915 – March 25, 2010
It is with great sadness that the family of J. Alex Wilson announces his peaceful passing on March 25, 2010 at the Parkwood Retirement Residence in Victoria British Columbia.
Alex was predeceased by his beloved wife of 64 years, Betty in May 2008. He is survived by his children; Neil (Peggy), Pam (Russ) and Peter (Jean); eight grandchildren; Geoffrey, Meghan, Blake, Kristen, Brent, Rebecca, Andrew, Katrina; four great grandchildren; Logan, Gabriel, Ava, Haley; and his brother Michael.
Alex was born in Sheffield England, immigrating to Canada in 1951 with his wife Betty and oldest son Neil who was 2 at the time. After settling in Canada, Alex and Betty had two more children, Pam and Peter.
Alex was a veteran of World War II, landing in France on D-Day+16 to play a vital, engineering role in building the Pipeline Under the Ocean (PLUTO). He rose to the rank of Captain. In Canada, he pursued a rewarding career that included the design and construction of numerous buildings in the Temiskaming region of Northern Ontario. As Commander of Cadets with the Algonquin Regiment of Militia in Haileybury, Ontario, he mentored many local individuals who remember him still with fondness and respect.
He was an accomplished draftsman / artist and is quite famous for his hand-drawn renditions of a number of famous British cathedrals. After suffering a broken hip in 2008 and a severe heart attack in early 2009, he proceeded to write his memoirs plus numerous short stories and poems for both adults and children, work amounting to many tens of thousands of words.
A Memorial for Alex is being held in Victoria at St. Barnabas Anglican Church, 1525 Begbie St., Victoria, on Wednesday, March 31, at 11:00 am officiated by Reverend Travis O’Brien.
Alex will be dearly missed.
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Mike, Louise & Frank Wilkinson
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Mike, Louise & Frank Wilkinson Dear Pam, Peter & Neil (and families)
We were saddened to hear about Uncle Alex and share your grief. At least now he and Auntie Betty are together again. He did accomplish so many great things in his 95 years. I bet he was in his glory when he wrote his memoirs and short stories. He will be missed by all. Thinking of you all.
Mike, Louise & Frank
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Richard M. Leone with deepest sympthay and condolences for my old friend Alex, not having seen him for a long time I shall always remember the wonderful times we shared with Betty and him at Asilomar and elsewhere here in Ca. and in Canada.
richard Leone
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Richard M. Leone With much sympathy and condolences for my good and old friend Alex, not having seen him for what seems like a LONG time I shall always remember the wonderful times we had at Asilomar
with Betty and elsewhere here in Ca. and in Canada.
Richard Leone
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Ian Valentine My sincere sympathy to all the family in the passing of Alex. He was a kind and gentle man and I so enjoyed seeing him again last September after so many years. It was a brilliant idea to write his memoirs so that while treasured memories will live on in your minds his written words will also be there for you and future generations.
Ian
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Janet Wilson Dear Pam, Neil and Peter: i thought the world of your Father and sent alot of prayers for him during these last few months, i know in my heart he is with your mom and our dear savior JESUS. Linda and Kathy send there sympathy as well, my heart will be with the three of you tomorrow love aunt Janet
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Gail Alexander-St.Louis Dearest Neil,Pam & Peter;
My deepest and sincerest condolences to all of you at this very sad time in your life.
I remember your Dad and Mom from those years you lived in Haileybury.I remember both of your parents were very kind people and I remember loving their accents as they spoke.
Time has flown by and its been years since I have seen them but everytime I see your ‘old’ house here in Haileybury I think of ‘The Wilsons’ It will always be that to me.
May God be with all of you and Bless you at this sad time.
Sincerly;
Gail
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Arnold & Beryl Tindall Alex was a good friend. We missed them when they moved west but were able to make several visits over the years to share memories of our work together. It leaves an emptiness when we realize he is gone.
Arnold
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Rory & Bonnie MacDiarmid Dear Neil & Peggy and family: Pam & Russ & family; Peter & Jean & family; Rory & I wish to extend our sincere sympathy to you in the passing of your beloved father, father-in-law & grandpa. What a gentleman! What a friend to all of us growing up in Haileybury. What a wonderful husband, supporting your dear mom in her music. He has given you all memories to treasure for ever. May God Bless You.
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Margaret & Charles Plaunt We are sending our thoughts out to your family in this time of sorrow and know that we admired Alex very much for the gentleman he was always.
Marg & Chuck
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Edith Roslee Dear Family,
I feel honoured and deeply blessed to have been touched by Alex’s friendship and kindness.
My heartfelt sympathy goes out to his devoted and always so supportive family.
Your dearest Alex is now with his Betty.
Sincerely,
Edith
Dear Pam, Peter & Neil –
We were saddened to hear of Uncle Alex’s passing and share your grief. At least now he and Auntie Betty have been reunited. He accomplished many great things in his 95 years on this earth. I bet he was in his glory when he was writing his memoirs and short stories.
Our prayers and love are with you ALL.
Mike, Louise & Frank