I first met Alex a number of years ago at the Maybury Club where we became good friends and where we would regularly enjoy, with the other members, a quiet game of cards whilst indulging in a typical evening of stimulating, intellectual conversation for which the Maybury Poker Room is renowned. It’s good to see so many members here today who will understand what I mean. Alex was a friendly and sociable man. He liked a good laugh and had a great sense of humour. There was always a lot of fun at the card table when Alex was there.

He was also a great storyteller and he enjoyed relating humorous exploits from his Merchant Navy days. I had read at school about the notorious Black Hole of Calcutta but I’d never met anyone who’d actually been there till I met Alex. (Although he was at pains to point out that he had not in fact been incarcerated but had been sent by his Captain to rescue some of his shipmates who had got into a bit of bother during a night on the town).

Also, when he was in the mood, he would like to entertain us at the table by crooning – if that’s the correct musical term – some of the popular songs of the day…”Way Down Upon the Swanee River” was one of his favourites (Although I think its popularity had peaked some time previously and I don’t think it was recognized by some of the younger members). Alex’s mother was known to have been a fine singer and he claimed to have inherited her musical talent…
However, having listened to a fair bit of Alex’s crooning over the years I feel there may be a slight element of doubt in that regard…

He had a reputation for having somewhat conservative card playing style, especially when he was dealt two aces, but he had also been known to pull off the occasional outrageous bluff after which he would rake in his opponent’s chips with his characteristic remark – “Well done Alex !”

Alex was much loved and respected at the club and will be sorely missed, but we will be left with many happy memories. I’m sure that the thoughts of everyone at the Maybury are with Karen and Lexi and all the family at this time. Alex was one of the good guys of this world. A fine friend who lived a rich, full life.

Perhaps the most fitting epitaph for Alex’s life is to be found in
his own words… “Well done Alex!”