Obituary of Alex Alexander

Alex Alexander of Endicott Alex Alexander, of Endicott, passed away on Wednesday, April 28, 2010 in the company of his loving family. Alex was born on September 11, 1921, son of Louis and Eugenia (Jenny) Alexander. His father operated Alexander's Confectionery in the Union District of Endicott for nearly 30 years. He married Ann Packs, the love of his life, in 1947. He is survived by his four children, son, Louis, and daughters, Eugenia, Margo and Alexis; sons-in-law, Gary Nichols and Peter Burgevin and five grandchildren, Alicia, Jack and Craig Nichols, and Michael and Connor Burgevin; brothers and sisters-in-law, Nick and Lu Packs, Toni and Al Hutin and George Laskaris; nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends. He was predeceased by his parents, his wife, Ann, and his sister, Patricia Alexander Laskaris. Alex attended Jennie F. Snapp and Union-Endicott High School through the 11th grade, and graduated from Mt. Hermon Preparatory School in Massachusetts in 1939. He enlisted in the Navy the day after Pearl Harbor. Following graduation from Bucknell University, he entered the Navy's V-7 program at Notre Dame University and was commissioned as an ensign in the United States Navy in 1943. He served in the Navy as communications officer aboard LST 509 during World War II, and participated in D-Day (Utah Beach) and in Allied campaigns in France and Norway. Although he rarely spoke about his war service, he was very proud of the courageous men and women with whom he served. Upon his return home from the war, he opened, in partnership with Wesley Harvey, the Esquire Men's Shop (which was later renamed Alexander Harvey Clothing Store). Alexander Harvey Clothing Store was in business in the Union District for nearly fifty years. A lifelong resident of Endicott, he participated in numerous community activities and organizations. He was a member of the Endicott Rotary Club for more than 60 years, serving as president from 1949-1950. He was a life member of Endicott Elks Lodge No. 1977, a member and president of the Union Businessmen's Association, a member and president of the Endicott-Vestal-Endwell Chamber of Commerce, chairman of the Community Ambassador Fund drive, chairman of the United Services Club drive for Ideal Hospital in the mid-1950's, vice-chairman of the jubilee celebration of Endicott's 50th anniversary, and advisor to Mayor Marion Corino for the 75th anniversary celebration of Endicott in 1981. He was a dedicated supporter of, and fundraiser for, the Endicott Visitor's Center. He was chairman of the fund drive to raise money to build a new facility for the Endicott Boys and Girls Club in the early 1960's, and served as a member of the Club's board for many years. Among other boards on which he served as member were the Community Chest, Board of Trustees of Ideal Hospital, the Board of Directors of the Community Memorial Center Building, Inc. Riverhurst Cemetery and the Broome County Arena Board. He was a founder and executive director of Broome County Community Charities Inc., and was associated with the BC Open and Dick's Sporting Goods Open for forty years. A devoted member of the Greek Orthodox Church of the Annunciation, he chaired the fund drive for construction of its new church in Vestal during the early 1970's and served as a board member of the parish council for many years. Funeral services will be held at 10:00 a.m. at the Greek Orthodox Church of the Annunciation, 4121 O'Hara Drive, Vestal, on Saturday, May 1, 2010. Burial will be in Riverhurst Cemetery, Endicott, immediately following the funeral service. The family will receive friends from 4:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. on Friday, April 30, 2010 at the Coleman & Daniels Funeral Home, 300 East Main Street, Endicott, NY. In lieu of flowers, those wishing to remember Alex are asked to consider contributions to the Greek Orthodox Church of the Annunciation, 4121 O'Hara Drive, Vestal, NY 13850 or the Endicott Boys and Girls Club of Western Broome Family Center, 1 Club House Road, Endicott, NY 13760. The family wishes to express their sincere thanks to the loving friends and caregivers including the staff of Ideal Nursing Center, Wilson Memorial Hospital, the Vestal Nursing Center, and Dr. Bruce Bowling, Dr. Kimberly DeSantis and Pam Ravener of Endwell Family Physicians who provided comfort and care to Alex during his illness.