John: in charge of the people's side
of law
In life, there is death. Sounds trite and true, at the
same time. But, death leaves us often angry, often sad, and sometimes
in awe.
When John Alexander died in Barrie two weeks ago, the effect rippled
through this community. John's life touched thousands of people. His
death was premature. And those who knew John expressed awe at his life.
John Alexander drove through Barrie for most of his life as his family
headed north from Oakville to the family cottage on Lake Cecebe. As
a cottage kid, he got to know a lot of town kids in Huntsville. When
his brother started dating a town kid, John's social circle grew. He
became like one of the gang during the summer months.
When he graduated from Oakville Trafalgar High School, he headed to
Queen's University, along with his best Huntsville friend, Dave Lough.
Dave went into medicine; John went into law. He was called to the Bar
in 1969 and arrived in Barrie to work for Crown Attorney John Murphy.
John's wife Elfie gained employment as a legal secretary in Bruce Owen's
law firm and Donna Hamilton joined the firm shortly after. John Alexander's
longtime Huntsville buddy, Rob Hamilton, had moved into business in
Barrie and it was logical the two couples would grow a sturdy friendship.
John plied his legal knowledge in the Crown attorney's office for 14
years before becoming Crown as John Murphy retired. He gave another
20 years to the office before giving way to retirement himself.
John exemplified 'care' in its finest sense. It was up to him to know
all points of law. It was up to him to have sturdy, respectful relationships
with literally thousands of police officers, from 17 different police
jurisdictions. His territory was broad and his commitment was unparalleled.
He balanced the community's need for fair representation with his own
love of living his life. John Alexander didn't waste a single minute.
He excelled at virtually every sport he touched: hockey (a huge love),
tennis, golf, skiing, sailboarding, horseshoes. Horseshoes? Yes! He
mobilized his Kempenfelt Drive community in a neighbourhood horseshoe
tournament.
He was actually Canadian Junior Waterski Champion in 1955/56. He loved
to use his body to its physical maximum. He used his brain in the same
way.
John and Elfie rejoiced at becoming Great Uncle John and Great Aunt
Elfie.
And they built their own cottage close to the family compound on Lake
Cecebe. As John retired in 2004, Rob Hamilton called on his lifelong
friend to conduct his swearing-in ceremony when he became mayor of Barrie.
Teammates on an oldtimers’ team, the two played hockey regularly
with several lawyers, some policemen, and the business guys like Rob.
It meant a lot to have John conduct that ceremony.
What can you say about a life lived well? That he was a great guy? That
he was a good person? You can use all those superlatives with John and
they're true. Everybody liked him and everybody respected him. He was
a fair, honest guy.
What did John give to this community? Stability. He gave us law, order,
justice. He gave us honesty, truthfulness. He gave his office the dignity
it deserved. And he was a human being in the hockey change room.
He had just two years of his retirement plan ... summers at the cottage,
winters in North Carolina. A persistent sore throat brought him back
from the south and he was diagnosed in January with cancer at the base
of his tongue. Radiation proved unsuccessful. John faced this with the
same serene grace that he gave to everything.
When he died on June 9, many smiled at the thought of John meeting
up with Barrie's famous Judge Gord McTurk, up there in some celestial
courtroom.
Could be.
Thanks, John.
|
