MAY 11, 1940 – JANUARY 30, 2024
On Tuesday, January 30th John Robb Alexander (Robb) of Cambridge, Ontario passed peacefully at Cambridge Memorial Hospital surrounded by family and holding hands with his children.
Robb is predeceased by his wife, Judith Lennox-Alexander (nee Ratchford), and his parents, John Robb Alexander ‘Jack’, and Doris Alexander (nee Harris). He is survived by his sisters, Helen Watt (nee Alexander) and Jean D. Alexander, his sister-in-law Jane Ratchford, and his children, Mary Melissa Alexander, Alexandra Lennox (Todd), Ryan Robb Alexander (Kelsey), and his grandchildren, Keenan, Ella, Paige, and Maisie.
As a graduate of Ryerson Polytechnic Institute in Toronto, Robb had a very long and successful career as an Engineering Technologist and Project Manager. He travelled Canada and the United States, living in Fort Lauderdale for a period where he acquired an incredible ‘Miami Vice’ style desk.
In his work, he took great pride in seeing large industrial projects come to fruition and enjoyed his work in the field with the boys as much as being in the office.
He was a calm and skilled negotiator adept at seeing both sides and known for his ability to quell heated meetings and facilitate resolution.
Robb was a very proud father and grandfather, and a devoted and selfless husband and brother. His sister recalls long phone conversations with him in recent years about world history and the family tree. He was very proud of his Scottish heritage and the history of the Alexander clan. He possessed an innate curiosity and wonder for the natural world and took great pleasure in documentaries about nature and travel. And loved to watch Nascar races, and football too.
His sense of humour was legendary! As a master of dry, quick witted and clever one-liners he had a repertoire of phrases to pull from and did so frequently. He could get going on a roll, filling any room with mirth and merriment. Robb laughed easily and loved deeply, and had a such twinkle in his eyes. He reminded his friends and family frequently – ‘Enjoy your youth!’ His patience was unmatched, and he held on to his Scottish strength and persistence until the very end. He loved good music and always enjoyed a cold pint or a single malt scotch.
He brought a steady and strong presence to conversations of the heart and had a quiet and humble wisdom that he expressed with great sincerity and care. He will be remembered for his infectious laughter which was always accompanied by the most genuine smile that reached his eyes. And for his deeply kind and thoughtful heart and his unwavering love of, and devotion to his family- which to him - was everything. He spoke often of the importance of love within a family which was the most important aspect of his life. He often commented that witnessing the love within his family and the energy of his grandchildren brought him great joy. He believed that what was truly important in life, were the precious moments with loved ones...he lived by this to his very last day.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Heart & Stroke Foundation in Robb’s honour. An open house and celebration of life will be held at Robb’s home on Saturday February 3rd beginning at 2 pm. For address information, please contact T. Little Funeral Home.
