Obituary of Gerald Cecil Alexander

Gerald Cecil Alexander was born November 19th, 1929 in Saint John NB, the son of the late Cecil and Doris (Friars) Alexander.  

His father had a great influence on his love of harness racing and his entrepreneurial business spirit.  After finishing school and starting his career, Gerald met Audrey who soon became the love of his life and best friend.  They enjoyed 60 wonderful years together.  Audrey and Gerald started their own beautiful family with children Donald (Ruth), Peter (Margaret), David (Christina), Wendy (Peter), Lori (Harold), Derek (Emma). He was soon rewarded with eleven grandchildren; Amanda (Aaron), David, Thomas, Stuart, Aaron, Robert, Jennifer, Christopher, Emma, Michael and Abbey and his great-grandson Chase. Gerald is also survived by two sisters Rosamond Mooney (Saint John) and Gayle Tracey (Barrie, ON).  He was predeceased by two brothers Donald and Delbert and his precious daughter, Rosamonde Kim.

Gerald was a successful businessman with an entrepreneurial spirit.  He worked many years for International Harvester in Saint John and was quickly promoted to Nova Scotia Manager based in New Glasgow – selling trucks from Saint John to St. Pierre & Miquelon.  When his father passed away in 1955, he moved back to Saint John with the firm.  In 1964 he purchased Patriquen Motors, a Ford Dealership, and moved his family to Sussex, NB.  In 1967, Gerald and his brother-in-law’s family (Donald & Margaret DeLong) started the Sussex Drive-in Theatre.  This business naturally expanded into the Town & Country Campark.

Sports were always in his blood.  During his years at Saint John High he played many sports and excelled at rugby.  In 1969, Gerald and a few local businessmen created the Sussex Royals hockey team to compete in the newly founded premier NB Jr. A league.  He was the team’s General Manager and spent hours recruiting top talent from across New Brunswick, and even some top players from the Boston area.

His grandfather, William James and father Cecil Marshall both were pioneers in the harness racing industry across the Maritimes, and in 1949 they established the Alexander Memorial in Cecil Marshall’s memory.  When his father passed at a young age, Gerald continued his passion being an active owner and breeder; at times with up to 15+ colts, broodmares and racehorses.  His many horses were spread from the Meadowlands, NJ, to the Inverness, NS and Charlottetown, PEI.  Gerald was instrumental in setting up and was the initial president of the Maritime Colt Stakes Association that became the Atlantic Sires Stakes program in 1967.   He also organized the first Standardbred Yearling Sale in the region the same year.  Later, Gerald was appointed to serve on the NB Racing Commission by Premier Frank McKenna.  Gerald was honoured in Charlottetown (2008) for the Alexander’s family contribution to harness racing.  He bred and developed over 30 plus quality racehorses over 60 years, his favorite was Darky Adios that went on to be an Atlantic champion.

Another passion was his membership in the Saint John St Patrick’s Society.  Gerald is a past-president and the above picture is him wearing the honorary medallion.

Gerald loved his family and cherished his friends.  He passed peacefully surrounded by his loving family.

Arrangements have been entrusted to the compassionate care of Wallace Funeral Home, 34 Sunnyside Drive, Sussex, (506-433-1176) where visitation will be held on Wednesday, November 29th from 4:00 - 8:00 pm . 

 A service celebrating Mr. Alexander's life will be held from Trinity Anglican Church on Thursday, November 30, 2017 at 2 :00 pm. 
 
If you are considering making a memorial donation the family has recommended the Saint John Regional Hospital Foundation - either the Department of Pediatrics or the New Brunswick Heart Centre, or the Sussex Health Centre Foundation.