Alexander Saxon

Alexander P. Saxon

DE PERE, WISCONSIN -

Former long-time Springfield resident Alex Saxon passed away peacefully from complications of Alzheimer's disease on August 24, 2010 at Rennes Health and Rehab Center in DePere, Wisconsin.

He is survived by his loving wife of 66 years, Margaret, son Michael, daughter Mary Liddy, grandchildren Maureen and James Liddy, son-in-law Brian Liddy, daughter-in-law Cristina Saxon, and numerous nieces and nephews. Alex was preceded in death by his mother Catherine, sister Elizabeth and brothers Charles and Victor.

Alex was born in East Chicago, Indiana on October 13, 1917. He graduated with honors from East Chicago Washington High School and attended the University of Michigan at Ann Arbor, where he earned a BS Degree in Engineering in 1943. Alex also played on the Michigan tennis team, winning a coveted "M" letter in 1941.

At U of M, Alex met his future wife Margaret Harris while waiting tables at the Alpha Gamma Delta Sorority House. They married in 1944 at St. Mel's Church in Chicago, Illinois.

During World War II, Alex served as an assembly line engineer for Ford Motor Company at the famous Willow Run Bomber Plant in Ypsilanti, Michigan. After the war, he joined Santa Fe Railroad in Chicago where he worked as a civil engineer.

In 1948, Alex took the position of building engineer with Illinois Bell Telephone Company in Chicago. He served in various management positions in Bell's personnel, traffic, commercial and engineering departments, including three years with Bell Laboratories in Whippany, New Jersey, where he specialized in military electronics.

In 1960, Alex was transferred to Illinois Bell's Springfield offices and, in 1971, was named district manager of public relations, a position he held until he retired in 1981 after 33 years of service.

After a short retirement, Alex went back to work as a marketing consultant for Rapps and Associates Engineering from 1984 to 1990.

While in Springfield, Alex dedicated much of his time helping young people. He served on the board of directors of Junior Achievement since JA began in the city in 1961. A founder of the area organization, he was also elected to a term as president and was recipient of its founders' and achievement awards. Alex was also honored by National Junior Achievement with its bronze, silver and gold awards. He received one of only two gold awards, JA's highest honor, presented nationally in 1979.

Alex was also a member of the Governor's Prayer Breakfast executive committee and served as its chairman in 1970. He was on the board of the Sangamon County Heart Association and the Thomas Rees Carillon Society. Alex was active in the Springfield Safety Council, the U.S. Savings Bond drive and in many United Way campaigns. He also served as finance chairman for Congressman Paul Findley's re-election committee.

A devout Catholic, Alex was a member of Christ the King parish and the Holy Name Society for nearly 40 years. He was also a stout supporter of Griffin High School and Sacred Heart Academy.

During his leisure time, Alex was a loyal follower of his alma mater's (the University of Michigan) sports teams, as well as those of the University of Illinois, where his son and daughter attended. Many of his fall Saturdays were spent tailgating in Champaign donning a bright orange blazer, until his beloved Wolverines came to town, then he switched to maize and blue.

In spite of his dual loyalties, Alex was honored by Dike Eddleman at halftime of the 1990 Illinois-Iowa football game for the naming of the "Fighting Illini Scholarship Fund," the school's major athletic funding program.

In 2000, Alex and his wife Margaret moved to DePere, Wisconsin to be closer to their grandchildren. They became members of Our Lady of Lourdes Church where they were active parishioners.

Alex was an avid golfer, card player and walker, until the effects of Alzheimer's slowed him down. He was also a loyal fan of his newly adopted professional team, the Green Bay Packers.

A memorial Mass will be held at St. Vincent Ferrer Church at 7525 West North Avenue in River Forest, Illinois on Saturday, August 28 at 11:00 a.m., with visitation beginning at 9:30 a.m.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be given on behalf of Alex Saxon to the Alzheimer's Association at www.alz.org (find Alex P. Saxon fund on tributes page).

Blaney Funeral Home is assisting the family. To send online condolences, please go to: www.BlaneyFuneralHome.com