Alexander Merrill SHILLINGTON

1922 - 2016

SHILLINGTON, Alexander Merrill: March 18, 1922 - September 5, 2016. Alex made his final move at 94 years of age to join his beloved wife, Fedora, whose loss he mourned since March 6, 2013. Alex is lovingly remembered by his six children: Richard (Joan), Edward (Janet), Robert (Corinne), Clifford (Barb), Brenda (Terry) Dew, and Keith (Anne); 20 grandchildren and 22 great-grandchildren. He was predeceased by his granddaughter, Chelsy, in 2006. Alex was able to enjoy one last special reunion in Edmonton in July, 2016 with all 70 of his immediate family in attendance! Alex was born in Delisle, SK as the second oldest of 8 children. He left home at 18 to join the Royal Canadian Navy and served in WWII from 1940 - 1945 on the HMCS Restigouche and HMCS Glace Bay - surviving multiple convoy crossings in the Battle of the Atlantic. He met and married a beautiful French Canadian WREN, Fedora Boissonnault, in Greenok, Scotland on March 17, 1945. After the war, Alex and Fedora moved to Saskatchewan and eventually, Edmonton, where they worked together to raise a young family. He supported his sons' pursuits in baseball and hockey and made sure that his daughter kept up with her brothers!! Alex, a hardworking and natural entrepreneur, always looked for opportunities to provide a better life for his wife and children. His business pursuits led him from Palm Dairies, to farming, to owning grocery stores, and working in real estate before retiring. Alex will be remembered for his tenacity, perseverance, and his love of moving! A Funeral Liturgy will be held at 10:00 a.m. on Monday, September 19, 2016 at Connelly-McKinley Funeral Homes, 10011 - 114 Street, Edmonton with interment to follow at Holy Cross Catholic Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Heart and Stroke Foundation. To send condolences, please visit www.connelly-mckinley.com. Connelly-McKinley Funeral Home, Downtown Chapel, (780) 422-2222.