CUMMINGS, Alexander Richard “Alex”
May 8, 1928 – Winnipeg, Manitoba
June 9, 2019 – Cochrane, Alberta
After surviving cancer in 1988 and a stroke in 2000, Alexander Richard “Alex” Cummings, beloved husband of Kathleen “Kaye” Cummings (nee Shapter) of Cochrane, AB, passed away peacefully at home on Sunday, June 9, 2019 at the age of 91 years after losing the battle with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis.
Alex had a varied career, beginning with seismic survey work for Imperial Oil, right through participating in the building of the Bighorn Dam, to being the general manager of a large holding company composed of oil and gas, pipeline, coal, and railway companies. He was a passionate small aircraft pilot, but didn’t begin flying until 50 years of age. He and Kaye flew all across Canada and from Alaska to the southernmost tip of the United States. Alex was also an avid camper, skier, hiker, and cyclist with his family. He also enjoyed singing in a barbershop quartet and a choir. Alex served on many boards, including health related and community projects in both the Cochrane community and in Calgary. A philanthropic man, Alex supplied endowments to diagnostic imaging, cancer research, and bursaries for university education. He had a passion for education in healthcare with a strong focus on supporting continuing and higher education for both students and medical professionals. During the 1988 Winter Olympics, he was the General Manager of Venues in charge of planning, engineering, and construction of all Olympic venues. Alex was a world traveller, and visited many places with Kaye. Together they travelled to Europe, Australia, New Zealand, the United Kingdom, and Asia, documenting it all.
Besides his loving wife of sixty-eight years, Kaye, Alex is survived by his daughter and son-in-law, Kathleen and Jay Winfield; son and daughter-in-law, Alexander (Sandy) and Doreen Cummings; grandsons, Michael and Jason Cummings; and sister and brother-in-law, Helen and Bob Norton.
A Celebration of Life will be held at McINNIS & HOLLOWAY (Cochrane, 369 Railway Street, Cochrane, AB), on Friday, June 28, 2019 at 2:00 p.m.
If friends so desire, memorial tributes may be made directly to the charity of the donor’s choice. Condolences may be forwarded through www.McInnisandHolloway.com.
In living memory of Alex Cummings, a tree will be planted at Fish Creek Provincial Park by McINNIS & HOLLOWAY FUNERAL HOMES, Cochrane, 369 RAILWAY STREET, COCHRANE, AB, T4C 2E2. Telephone: 403-932-4740.
