John Alexander

1935 - 2024

John David Alexander, 89, of Port Perry, Ontario passed away peacefully surrounded by family on November 29, 2024 after being diagnosed with cancer earlier this year.

John is survived by his wife Jeanne (Smith), sons Christopher and David, daughter in laws Carol and Krista, grandchildren, Dylan, Sadie and Brody, step grandchildren Austin (Christina) and Dylan, sister-in-law Vicki and sisters, Linda and Karen.

John was born on September 5, 1935 to David and Gladys Alexander in Toronto.

John grew up in north Toronto and went to high school at Northern Collegiate and upon graduating, attended Ryerson Polytechnical Institute where he studied Business Administration and graduated in 1957.

John worked in the life insurance industry for National Life Assurance Company for over 30 years and after retiring worked with Revenue Canada and H&R Block.

Jeanne and John were married on October 3, 1959, in Toronto and bought a house on Deerfield Road in Scarborough where we lived for over 30 years. Earlier this year, they celebrated their 65th Wedding anniversary and when asked what his favourite treat was, he simply said “Jeannie”.  

John’s life was filled with his love of Barbershop singing for more than 60 years. He sang with the Scarborough Dukes of Harmony, where he won two International Gold Medals and later with the Suburbanaires. John was a founding member of Harmony Ranch in 1973, a place our family continues to be a part of over fifty years later. 

John was a storyteller.  He enjoyed spending time with his grandkids and regularly recount his favourite stories of Chris and Dave growing up and other life experiences. 

John loved to cook and enjoyed pickling.  Every fall, the house or apartment would smell of brine as he made all sorts of dill pickles and relishes to sell at the church bazar.  A testament to his pickling prowess came when he was awarded first place at the Port Perry Fair for his dill pickles.

Later in life he enjoyed doing personal taxes for friends and family using a worksheet and pencil - no computer program for him! 

Jeanne and John made the move to Port Perry more than twenty years ago, and they have never looked back making countless wonderful friendships through St. Andrews Chalmers and the two neighborhoods they have lived in.

John was a dedicated volunteer at St Andrews Chalmers Church in Uxbridge, sitting on their Board of Directors, helping out with their many fundraising projects and lending his hand to the finances of the church.

Visitation will be at 11:00 am at St. Andrews Chalmers Church, 40B Toronto Street South, Uxbridge on Thursday, December 5, 2024 with a service following at 12:00 noon.  A reception will follow in the church hall. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Oak Ridges Hospice, Port Perry where John spent his final days.

Memories may be shared at lowandlow.ca