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.
11 Responses
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