JOHN THOMAS ALEXANDER CD, MASTER R.C.A.F. (RET'D)

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JOHN THOMAS ALEXANDER CD, MASTER W/O R.C.A.F. (RET'D) January 17, 1941 - April 12, 2018 It is with great sadness we announce the passing of our beloved husband, brother and uncle, John Alexander, at the Grace Hospital, Winnipeg. John battled his final illness with the same determination and courage he displayed throughout his full life. Born in Vancouver, to parents, Sylvia Louise (Armstrong) and Thomas Alexander, John joined the R.C.A.F. as a teenager and proudly served his country for more than three decades with postings in Moose Jaw, Gimli, Comox, Baden Soellingen (Germany), Edmonton and finally Winnipeg 17 Wing Air Command. During two tours in Germany (1966 to 1970 and 1975 to 1979), John served twice with UN peacekeeping forces, in Cyprus and Egypt. John loved his field of work especially as a non-destructive testing technician. While in Gimli, he met the love of his life, Donna Marie Danyluk and the two were married in Germany in January, 1969. With shared passions for travel, reading, golf, Irish setters and curling; serving as the Bonspiel Chairman at the Schwarzwald Curling Club; John and Donna made the most of their postings, exploring widely and immersing themselves in the local communities. There were always new things to experience and memories to cherish. John retired from the R.C.A.F. in 1990 with the rank of Master Warrant Officer. He continued his military life as a member of the Royal Canadian Legion #4. After a lifetime of moving every few years in the service of Canada, John and Donna set down roots in Winnipeg and enjoyed the closeness of family and friends. John's backyard pool became a summer focus of family activity, particularly for all their nieces and nephews. John had a deep bass voice and loved to sing, not just in the shower, but in the choirs of Christ the King Church in Baden-Baden and at St. Paul The Apostle in Winnipeg. He loved his country, the R.C.A.F., Irish setters, yellow roses and sunny days. In retirement, John was also able to pursue his lifelong interest in politics. Through his activity with the Canadian Alliance and later the Conservative Party of Canada in Charleswood-St. James constituency, John played an important role in reuniting the conservative movement in Manitoba and across Canada. The PC Party of Manitoba and various candidates at each level of elected office benefited from John's support, assistance and advice. He also served at the national level as Manitoba's representative on the National Constitution Committee for the Conservative Party of Canada. A man of firm opinions and deep emotions, John lived life to the full and was always "his own man" with abiding convictions about his place in the world. He is mourned by his loving wife Donna; his brother Gordon; sisters, Sylvia and Joan; and many nieces and nephews; brothers-in law and sisters-in-law, and his many close friends from the military and politics. He was predeceased by his brother Jim. A celebration of John's life, followed by interment, will be held at a later date. Donations in John's memory, can be made to the Heart & Stroke Foundation of Manitoba, the Kidney Foundation of Canada or the Winnipeg Pet Rescue Shelter.

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Apr 28, 2018