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Alex HOWATSON Obituary

Published by Vancouver Sun and/or The Province from Jan. 7 to Jan. 8, 2012.

HOWATSON, Alex Passed away peacefully December 17, 2011 following a 17 month battle with ALS. He was 68. He graduated from UBC Electrical Engineering in 1967, had jobs in Seattle with (Boeing), in Australia (EMI and AWA), and BC Hydro. He will be remembered by his quick wit and quirky sense of humour, plus his ability and delight in repairing things. Sadly missed by his wife Nancy, their two children Darren (Suzana) and Audrey (Tom), two baby granddaughters Aliya, Phoebe, and sisters Elizabeth (Colin) and Jean (Mike). In lieu of flowers, please send a donation in memory of Alex to the ALSBC www.alsbc.ca or ALS Canada for a cure. A private celebration will be held later this year.

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Recent Activity

January 24, 2012

Harry Bedard posted to the memorial.

January 15, 2012

Brian & Louise Avent posted to the memorial.

January 10, 2012

Lee-Ann & Jack Mulrooney/Whelan posted to the memorial.

11 Entries

Harry Bedard

January 24, 2012

I was lucky enough to meet and work with Alex during his time with BC Hydro. He was always there to help and his quick wit was refreshing. I will always remember his Stove Phone. He was always fixing or building something.
My condolences to his family

Brian & Louise Avent

January 15, 2012

I met and got to know Alex at UBC about 1965. Later we worked together at BC Hydro for many years until his retirement. Alex was always a reference as the guy who knew how everything worked and how to fix it and always had a wry comment about the state of the world.

Our sincere condolences to Nancy and fmaily.

Lee-Ann & Jack Mulrooney/Whelan

January 10, 2012

Jack and I were very sad to hear of Alex's illness and passing. Our thoughts and prayers go out to his devoted wife, Nancy and his children, Darren and Audrey and their families. We knew the Howatson family through Jack's sister Maureen and her husband Tom Becher, who lived next door on Devonshire Crescent. Our children were young and they all played together in the back lane. When we opened a Montessori school on Oak Street in 1986, the back lane again became our meeting place.....Alex walking to and from work and Nancy and the children walking to Safeway. When Darren and Audrey grew up, Nancy took a job at Emily Carr and our back lane chats were more frequent. Once Alex retired, the family moved to Beach Ave. and we lost touch. I met up with Audrey a few years ago at my niece's baby shower and she filled me in on her family's comings and goings. All seemed to be going well and Alex and Nancy were enjoying their retirement, more active and busier than ever. It was, therefore such a shock to hear that such a vibrant man was struck down with ALS.

January 10, 2012

Susanne and I send our deep condolences at the passing of Alex. He was such a delightful person and had a lovely sense of humour.
John Heselton

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January 9, 2012

" Alex and Nancy were my Real Estate Clients as I was Selling his Family home on Keith Road in North Vancouver.

They both worked very hard in the garden to keep the big property looking good.

It took a while to sell and in the end I saw his energy dwindle. He tried to subdivide the properety for the benefit of the estate. It was a long and involved process.We finally Sold the property and it was at this time his health took a turn for the worse.

Nancy my prayers go out to you and your family.

God Bless you.

Judy Killeen ( Sutton Group West Coast Realty )

January 9, 2012

On behalf of Nancy"s cousins on the East Coast, we would like to again pass our
Codolances to the Family and all of Alex's friends and aquaintances.
Nan we hope that you will consider a trip East this sping!
All our Love
Ian and Bertha
Moncton N.B.

Boris Ying

January 7, 2012

Alex is our next door neighbor of his apartment on Beach Ave. Due to our family's infrequent stay at our place, Alex has always been most helpful in keeping a watchful eye on our apartment. We shall miss him.

Leo & Margaret BARNES

January 7, 2012

Alex and I met more than 45 years ago at EMI in Sydney and have been friends ever since. Our sincere condolences to Nancy, Darren and Audrey

Leo & Margaret BARNES

January 7, 2012

Margaret and I were shocked to read of Alex's passing. I met Alex as a work 'mate' in Sydney at EMI when we were both in our early 20's, visiting each other several times over the past 45 years. He has been a good friend for so long. Our sincere condolences to Nancy, Darren and Audrey.

Dick LeMassena

January 7, 2012

Alex and I met as co-workers in the Flight Test RF/microwave lab at Boeing Field, in 1967-68. We kept in-touch after I moved to Santa Clara Valley, and I met Nancy, for the first time, when their honeymoon cruise boat docked at San Francisco.

During their stay in Sydney, Australia, Alex informed me that the locals around Manly Beach were “hungry” for American-style Rock and Soul music, so I sent several tapes of the best and latest, by recording KDIA, Oakland, and KSOL in SF. Australian broadcasters evidently weren't keeping with the times. Within a few years, Australian bands were topping the charts; I sometimes wonder whether Alex and I may have been the catalyst.

Alex, Nancy, Darren and Audrey have been wonderful friends to my wife, my daughter and I. We have lots of fond memories of visits to the Vancouver area, as well as activities together in SF, Santa Cruz, Silicon Valley, and here in San Diego.

Alex's wit and humor will be with me for the rest of my days…..a wonderful person.

Jan and Rick Hancock

January 7, 2012

We met the Howatson's 9 yrs ago , as we bought the home next door to Margaret, Alex's mom.
We enjoyed Alex's hard work, long conversations and obvious intelligence, as he and Nancy cared for 1147 Keith Rd. We loved having contact with all the ladies, Nancy, Elizabeth , Jean and Audrey and send very sincere condolences to all.
Jan and Rick

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