Alex Irvine, 91, passed away on January 2, 2012. He was born on April 15, 1920, in Glasgow, Scotland, to parents Alexander Mailer and Mary (Wright) Irvine. Alex immigrated to the U.S. with his family eight years later, landing at Manhattan Island on Sept 2, 1928. He graduated from South Side High School, Newark, NJ, in 1937, his father having died two years earlier. Alex attended night classes at Newark College of Engineering while working at a chemical plant during the day.
He was drafted into the U.S. Army in August 1942. Not allowed to complete the naturalization process before shipping out, Alex became a U. S. citizen November 17, 1943, in Canastel, Algeria, while serving in the Army. He proudly served in Oran, Algeria, and near Anzio (Naples), Italy. He was honorably discharged at the rank of Sergeant. Alex enjoyed touring the WWII Memorial and other sites in Washington with an Old Glory Honor Flight in October, 2010.
After leaving the Army, he worked as a chemical plant supervisor while attending night classes at Polytechnic Institute of Brooklyn, where he earned his BS-Chemical Engineering in June 1949. After graduation, he worked at Marathon Paper Company in Menasha, WI. He later became technical director at John Strange Paper Co., and was manager of the staff laboratory at Thilmany Pulp and Paper Co. from 1967 until his retirement in 1985. Alex served over 30 years as a commissioner of the Algoma Sanitary District, until the time of his death.
Alex met the love of his life, Mary Jean Uecke, through an Army buddy, and the couple was married by Rev. Alvin Lindgren at Algoma Blvd. Methodist Church, Oshkosh, on August 19, 1949. Alex has been a faithful member there since, serving as chairman of the finance committee and in other roles.
A gentle but strong man, Alex was a devoted husband, doting father, and patient mentor. He has been very active with Mary Jean in the Winnegamie Dog Club (president), the Registered Hereford Association, the Fox Valley Horsemen's Association, the American Morgan Horse Association, the Wisconsin Horse Council (president), the Midwest Horse Fair, and other organizations. Alex served on the Oshkosh School Board, was regional president of the Technical Association of the Pulp and Paper Industry (TAPPI), and has volunteered at Paine Art Center and the Grand Opera House. He was a Club and project leader of the Wee Three 4-H Club in Oshkosh for over 25 years. Since 1981, Alex has sung in the Appleton MacDowell Male Chorus, achieving lifetime membership.
Alex is survived by his loving wife of 62 years, Mary Jean; six children: Cynthia of Verona, WI, and grandsons Tyson and Travis; Jacquelyn (Glenn) Dove of Wauwatosa, WI, and grandsons Matthew (Stephanie) and Jason; Jeffrey (Karen) of Ripon, WI, and granddaughters Mamie (Chad Brazee) and Emily; Alexander (Nancy) of Neenah, WI, and grandsons Nate, Ben, and David; Douglas (Debbie) of Howard, WI, and granddaughters Ashley (Chris Schafer), Andrea, and Kelsey; and Bradley (Julie) of Mequon, WI. Alex is further survived by three great-grandchildren: Bryon Brazee, and Reyna and Cameron Dove. He was preceded in death by his parents and a sister Emily, but is survived by another sister, Catherine Van Houten, Cedar Grove, NJ, and nephew John Van Houten.
The funeral service for Alex will take place at 11:00 A.M. on Thursday, January 5, 2012 at Algoma Boulevard United Methodist Church, 1174 Algoma Boulevard, Oshkosh, with Rev. Barry Yarbro officiating. The family will greet friends at church on Thursday from 9:00 A.M., until the time of service. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made in Alex's name to Algoma Blvd. U.M.C., or to Appleton MacDowell Male Chorus, P.O. Box 32, Appleton, WI 54912. Please visit www.seefeldfuneral.com to share condolences online.
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