Obituary for Alexander "Alec" Wilfred Cushnie
With deep sadness, we announce the passing of Alexander Wilfred Cushnie (in his 92nd year) on
December 26th, 2020. Beloved husband of Thelma Margaret Cushnie (nee, Small) – deceased on
January 28th, 2020. Dear father of Wilfred Alexander Cushnie (wife, Charlotte) and Mary Margaret
Mansour (husband, Ed). Alexander was the proud grandfather of six grandchildren: Elizabeth
(husband, Mark) Richard (wife, Alexis), Jerusa (husband, Jesse), Joseph, Alexandra, Charles, and
great-grandfather to seventeen great-grandchildren. Survived by brothers, Donald (wife, Joan) and
Kenneth (wife, Gloria) and sisters-in-law, Bernice and Donna. Predeceased by brothers, George
(wife, Elmarie), James, and sister Florence (husband, William) and sister, Mary. Alexander was loved
and will be missed by numerous nieces and nephews.
Alexander was an employee of Stelco in Hamilton for over 40 years, finishing his career there as a
millwright supervisor. When he retired, he spent his time on the farm with his wife, raising horses,
ponies, goats, sheep, etc. He and Thelma planted several thousand white pine trees, which they
meticulously cared for. If you were to drive past their old farm today, you would be able to see a forest
of pines. Alexander and Thelma loved their camper and travelled around Canada, especially to
Northern Ontario and to British Columbia to visit family.
Alexander loved his tractors and machines and was always fixing things. He also loved flashlights,
lanterns, lamps, and putting everything on wheels. He had a tool for everything and if he didn’t have
one, he made one. He built three houses, the first one in Stoney Creek, then Binbrook, and the final
one at Peter’s Corners on a 14-acre farm. In 2004, Alex and Thelma made a move to Brantford,
leaving the country life behind.
Alexander had a deep faith and devoted his life to serving the Lord. He was heavily involved in the
Baptist men’s ministry and did his best to set a Christian example to all those who crossed his path in
life. Alexander loved his family and was proud of their accomplishments. When his wife, Thelma,
developed dementia, Alexander tended to her every need, and when he was forced to place her in a
home, he went faithfully every day to see her.
A few months after losing the love of his life in January 2020, Alexander moved with his daughter,
Mary, and her husband, Ed, and enjoyed the summer months reading books and riding the trails on
his scooter with his daughter. He was surrounded by great-grandchildren and when they were
around, he always had a big smile and a hug for them. He would recite little poems, which excited the
children to no end as they tried to repeat the words. Anyone who met Alexander was sure to be
enamoured by his story telling of times gone by. A favourite way of introducing himself when asked
his name was: “I’m Alexander the Grateful.”
The family would like to extend a heartfelt thanks to the Stedman Community Hospice’s Outreach
Team, the CBI Home Health care and the nurses and PSWs who came into our home to help look
after dad, and finally to the superb staff at the Stedman Community Hospice for their outstanding care
during dad’s final days.
In lieu of flowers, the family would appreciate donations to the Stedman Community Hospice. https://www.sjlc.ca/stedman-community-hospice-1
Due to the current COVID-19 restrictions, there will be no public visitation and service. However, a live video streaming of the service will be on Tuesday, December 29th at 12:00 noon. Please click on the "Photos and Video" tab above this obituary and navigate to the "Watch Webcast" link. A private interment at the Mount Osborne Cemetery in Beamsville, Ontario will follow the service. A celebration of life will be held at a later date, to be determined.
December 26th, 2020. Beloved husband of Thelma Margaret Cushnie (nee, Small) – deceased on
January 28th, 2020. Dear father of Wilfred Alexander Cushnie (wife, Charlotte) and Mary Margaret
Mansour (husband, Ed). Alexander was the proud grandfather of six grandchildren: Elizabeth
(husband, Mark) Richard (wife, Alexis), Jerusa (husband, Jesse), Joseph, Alexandra, Charles, and
great-grandfather to seventeen great-grandchildren. Survived by brothers, Donald (wife, Joan) and
Kenneth (wife, Gloria) and sisters-in-law, Bernice and Donna. Predeceased by brothers, George
(wife, Elmarie), James, and sister Florence (husband, William) and sister, Mary. Alexander was loved
and will be missed by numerous nieces and nephews.
Alexander was an employee of Stelco in Hamilton for over 40 years, finishing his career there as a
millwright supervisor. When he retired, he spent his time on the farm with his wife, raising horses,
ponies, goats, sheep, etc. He and Thelma planted several thousand white pine trees, which they
meticulously cared for. If you were to drive past their old farm today, you would be able to see a forest
of pines. Alexander and Thelma loved their camper and travelled around Canada, especially to
Northern Ontario and to British Columbia to visit family.
Alexander loved his tractors and machines and was always fixing things. He also loved flashlights,
lanterns, lamps, and putting everything on wheels. He had a tool for everything and if he didn’t have
one, he made one. He built three houses, the first one in Stoney Creek, then Binbrook, and the final
one at Peter’s Corners on a 14-acre farm. In 2004, Alex and Thelma made a move to Brantford,
leaving the country life behind.
Alexander had a deep faith and devoted his life to serving the Lord. He was heavily involved in the
Baptist men’s ministry and did his best to set a Christian example to all those who crossed his path in
life. Alexander loved his family and was proud of their accomplishments. When his wife, Thelma,
developed dementia, Alexander tended to her every need, and when he was forced to place her in a
home, he went faithfully every day to see her.
A few months after losing the love of his life in January 2020, Alexander moved with his daughter,
Mary, and her husband, Ed, and enjoyed the summer months reading books and riding the trails on
his scooter with his daughter. He was surrounded by great-grandchildren and when they were
around, he always had a big smile and a hug for them. He would recite little poems, which excited the
children to no end as they tried to repeat the words. Anyone who met Alexander was sure to be
enamoured by his story telling of times gone by. A favourite way of introducing himself when asked
his name was: “I’m Alexander the Grateful.”
The family would like to extend a heartfelt thanks to the Stedman Community Hospice’s Outreach
Team, the CBI Home Health care and the nurses and PSWs who came into our home to help look
after dad, and finally to the superb staff at the Stedman Community Hospice for their outstanding care
during dad’s final days.
In lieu of flowers, the family would appreciate donations to the Stedman Community Hospice. https://www.sjlc.ca/stedman-community-hospice-1
Due to the current COVID-19 restrictions, there will be no public visitation and service. However, a live video streaming of the service will be on Tuesday, December 29th at 12:00 noon. Please click on the "Photos and Video" tab above this obituary and navigate to the "Watch Webcast" link. A private interment at the Mount Osborne Cemetery in Beamsville, Ontario will follow the service. A celebration of life will be held at a later date, to be determined.