In Memory - Gerald Alexander
Norman “Gerald” Alexander, of Weyburn, Saskatchewan, born July 6, 1925, passed away September 9, 2024 at the age of 99 years.
Gerald was predeceased by his parents, James and Alicia Alexander; first wife, Pauline Alexander & second wife, Delia Alexander; daughter, Barbara LeBlanc and all of his brothers and sisters.
Gerald will be lovingly remembered by his son, Grant (Chris) Alexander of Weyburn, SK; daughter, Betty Stewart (Bob) of Kelowna, BC; grandson, Aaron & children Andrew & Jaydon, grandson, Joel (Sarah) & children, Madeline, Abigail & Dean, granddaughter, Meaghan (Steve) & children, Ronan and Violet; son in law, Rob LeBlanc of Edmonton, AB; grandson, Michael (Talea) & children, Skylar, Kelin & Torin, grandson, Ryan & his son, Haylo; daughter, Kathy (Jim) Vancha of Delisle, SK; granddaughter, Lindy (Collin) & children, Abby and Ethan, grandson, Jordan (Kathleen) & children, Lukas and Max, grandson, Andrew (Angela) & children, Tucker, Alex and June as well as nieces, nephews, extended families and friends.
Gerald was very active in numerous community, provincial and national organizations throughout his life. He was the Chairman of the Goodwater School for 15 years, President of the Goodwater Rural Telephone Company for many years. He was Chairman of the Goodwater Rink Board in 1957 when the new hockey rink was built. He spent over 15 years on the Board of directors of the Weyburn Co-operative Association and was Chairman of the board for 10 years. He was leader of the Lomond 4-H Beef Club for many years as well. He was a proud supporter of 4-H and was a member of the first 4-H club established in Saskatchewan and had attended every Interclub 4-H show held in Weyburn since they started. He was on the founding committee of Canadian Western Agribition and represented Agribition at the Royal show in Coventry, England and the Commonwealth tour of Britain. He was a long- time director of the Sask Shorthorn Association and was a Past President. As well he spent 11 years on the board of directors of the Canadian Shorthorn Association and spent 3 years as President of the CSA. One of the highlights in his presidency of the CSA was hosting the 1980 World Shorthorn Conference in Calgary. He was also Chairman of the Saskatchewan Cattle Breeders Association. He was on the board of directors of the Weyburn Red Wings hockey club and enjoyed singing the National Anthem at Red Wings games for many years.
Gerald was honoured as a legend of the breed by the Canadian Shorthorn Association and a Builder of the Breed by the American Shorthorn Association and is one of the very few people outside the US that has received this award. He received an Honour Scroll from the Sask Livestock Association for his support and furtherment of the livestock industry in this province.
Gerald loved to sing and he spent many years singing in the Octavious Singers and Variations choir in Weyburn. He also sang at dozens and dozens of weddings and funerals in the community right up to just before his passing. He also loved to sing in the choir at his church, the Weyburn Free Methodist Church. For many years, he sang “O Holy Night” at the Christmas Eve service at the church.
As a young man, Gerald was active in numerous sports such as hockey and was the Captain of the Goodwater Oil Kings hockey team for several years. As he got older, he continued to love sports of all kinds and seldom missed a Weyburn Red Wings game right from when they were established in the early 60s. On the night he was admitted to the hospital, he had attended a Red Wings game and he told the doctor that he wanted to be out of the hospital soon as there was another game he wanted to attend, two nights later. In the summer, he could usually be found at many ball games in Weyburn.
To say that he enjoyed a very active life is an understatement. He absolutely loved life and loved his community. On his return from many trips he would oftentimes say that the places he visited were nice to see, but he really had never found a place he would rather live than in the Weyburn community.
Interment will take place Saturday, September 28, 2024 at 1:00 p.m. at Green Acres Memorial Gardens, Weyburn, Saskatchewan and the Memorial Service will follow, Saturday, September 28, 2024 at 2:00 p.m. at Weyburn Free Methodist Church, Weyburn, Saskatchewan with Reverend Jody Pfeifer and Reverend Wade Fitzpatrick officiating.
In lieu of flowers, donations in memory of Gerald may be made to the Weyburn Free Methodist Church or the Canadian Cancer Society. The family is very grateful for the excellent care he received at these homes.