Alex's passing have brought sadness for me, for he was such a kind , gifted and gentlemanly person. My collaboration with Alex at the Museum brought us to the outdoors for the recording of rare plants and wild flowers,  and to Mount Uniacke for the Early Morn Dawn Chorus of bird  walks, among other things.  To have known this fine gentleman has brought pleasure and enrichment to my life and career and I have been blessed to have known Alex.

My sincere condolences go to  Christine, Michael, Johanna, Andrew, Carl and Heather.                                                                                                                                                                             
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Alex, who much like many of our fellow museum staff at the NSM, exuded nothing but a kind, inoffensive, gentle, humourous, helpful, co-operative, dedicated, talented, informed, friendly presence to everyone who had the privilege of having had a connection with him. He was a prime example to all of what it means to be a decent human being. My condolences to everyone  who will share in the sadness of his passing.

So sorry to just hear of Alex’s passing. Our paths crossed many times over the years from botany classes at Dalhousie and later as active curators in our chosen professional fields. His kindness and support will not be forgotten. Finally at peace. He will be missed by many.

Iris Hardy

My sincere condolences to Alex’s family and friends.
Alex was a talented, caring and proud museum staff member.  He was a great communicator and his other talents including interpretation and photography allowed him to share the wonderful world of botany and museum work.  
He was like a “rock star” when it came to his Annual Halifax Public Gardens walks and his illustrated public presentations---they were always sold out.  
Alex will be missed.

I am sorry to learn of Alex's passing. I worked with him at the Museum of Natural History. It was early in my museum career and I will remember how he always made time for colleagues and visitors alike to share his extensive knowledge of all things botanical. I especially remember the creative floral arrangements he would leave on the museum's front desk. My sincerest condolences go out to his family and friends. 

Christine, Mike, Andrew, Joanna, and family... Alex and I shared many exhibit/graphic design and research adventures over the course of 20+ years at the Nova Scotia Museum. Of particular note, I fondly recall working on the interpretation of Sable Island plants with Alex, and the NSM Exhibits team, in the late 1980s. In the 1990s, the (award-winning) exhibit Botanical Illustration comes to mind. Alex shepherded an astounding collection of print and other artistic works from across the Maritimes into public display. In 2000, we worked long summer hours to produce graphics and print materials for the Society for the Preservation of Natural History Collections Annual Meeting. And, I’ll never forget Alex Wilson’s photography. It’s a special collection. Alex’s impact will live on through his passion for discovering and sharing our natural roots.   

I was so fortunate to share many museum road trips with Alex, with him calling out the names and descriptions of all manner of plants and animals that we happened across as he looked out the passenger window. He was such a proud Nova Scotian. He is an irreplaceable loss to our province. 

Sorry for your loss . Had the  opportunity to know Alex through his idea and enthusiasm with regards to the production and promotion of the first Butterfly House which proved to be a popular exhibit over many summers at the NSM . My condolences to your family .  


I'm so sorry to hear about your loss. I had the pleasure of working with Alex before his retirement. He was a mentor to me when I became manager of the Museum of Natural History and was a kind, generous colleague during the years we worked together. I appreciated his thoughtfulness  and sense of humour and feel very fortunate to have known him. He will be dearly missed. 



Alex is my second cousin, and as Michael pointed out so wonderfully at the Service, he always projected a calmness and laughter that I will always cherish. I have lived in the U.S. for awhile, and Alex used to tease me about the U.S. choosing the bald eagle as their national symbol: “Why on earth would they pick the bald eagle? It is really just a common fish hawk.” I loved that. - Jake Caldwell - son of Marilyn; grandson of Marion. Washington, D.C. 

Christine, Mike, Andrew, Joanna and family. It was a pleasure and honour to get to know you all over the recent years when I was visiting with and supporting Alex. I learned so much from him, shared laughs, meals, a glass of Coke , had many enjoyable walks around the community  looking at gardens and greeting neighbors and heart to heart talks.  Alex was an amazing 
, caring, generous and funny man. I am blessed to have been a small part of his recent journey. I will cherish the memories. Thank you for allowing me to be a part of your lives these past few years.  I decided to watch the live stream of the service from home. Michael your reflection on your dad was very moving. I will never forget Alex. You are all in my thoughts and prayers. 

On behalf of Nova Scotia Museum Board of Governors and staff, I extend sincere condolences to Alex's family and friends. Alex contributed most of his working years to the NSM and we appreciate his contribution to the museum and significant years of service to the province. 

What a beautiful difference one single life made...

Alex was my friend and good neighbour on Walnut St. for the past 40 years. Before his declining illness, I would often pop across the street to visit his garden during all seasons.  In very early spring, a massive patch of Snowdrops  at the front of the house appeared faithfully. Alex was always so enthusiastic to show these beauties to me., along with his prized Magnolia tree and Rhododendron bush. There was always a new little addition in his garden be it a little wildflower or a cultivated flower that he was thrilled to show me. I will definitely miss my little garden tours into Alex's beautiful world of flowers and trees. Rest in Peace dear Alex.

My With Deepest Sympathy to Christine, Michael, Andrew, Johanna, Heather Rose and Carl
 

Christine, Carl, Heather, Johanna, Michael and Andrew, 
Alex will always be attached to every memory I have of Nova Scotia. Every visit to our grandparents. Every visit with my mother to Fall River. Every visit with my children to pass on the stories of my roots. Alex was part of it all. Every time. He always made sure we were welcomed and shared his own special perspective as our self-appointed tour guide. Every single time we enjoy our collection of Lorenzen ceramic mushrooms that he started for us, we will think of him. They say that your cousins are your first friends. I will certainly miss my friend.  

Dear Christine, Michael, Andrew and Johanna:

We are so profoundly sorry to hear of Alex's passing. We shared many adventures with him in the early 80s. He gladly shared his incredible knowledge of the natural environment with us all and we are all the better for it.  He had the genius to recognise the beauty in nature that most of us would not even see until his photographic skills brought it to light.  Our sincere condolences: Heather and Tony Schellinck

Alex was a much loved and admired friend, who will be fondly remembered for his convivial companionship and kind and generous thoughtfulness in gifting me with many lovely garden books, flowers, bulbs and a beautiful white magnolia tree rooted from a gorgeous specimen in is own back yard.   Celebrating birthdays, American Thanksgiving, New Year's Eve and summer BBQs together became more difficult in recent years as his health declined, yet our heart-connection remained strong and will undoubtedly linger long.   He will be missed.  My sincerest condolences to Christine, Michael, Johanna,  Andrew, Carl and Heather. 

As a former colleague at the Nova Scotia Museum/Museum of Natural History and a gardener, I'm ever grateful to Alex for his interest in garden history and garden landscapes, and for his contributions as a founding member of the NSM Landscape Interpretation Committee,  now fallen into oblivion.  His influence was felt in the work we did to understand Mount Uniacke in the context of English garden landscape and Richard John Uniacke's ambitious idea to create an estate like the ones he grew up with in Anglo Ireland in the mid-1700s, as presented by Alex in the "Uniacke Estate Seminar",  NSM Curatorial Report #70.  He acquired most of the  plant and nursery catalogues now in the NSM history collection, once the subject of a NSM travelling exhibition. I particularly value his notes about two early nurserymen in NS , E A Clarke and Roscoe Fillmore, Thank you, Alex.     

So sad to hear of the loss of Alex.  We were for many years botanical comrades-in-arms, he provincial, I federal.  We always tried to help each other out, and he was so unfailing,y cheerful and enthusiastic.  Those were good times and happy memories.  My sincerest condolences to all his family.

Carolyn Bird
Former phycologist, NRC Halifax 

To Christine and family,
Unfortunately Martha and I are not able to attend today because of our highly compromised immune systems.  It pains us to not be there.  
We are so sorry for your loss and send our deepest condolences to you, Christine, and family.  We worked with Alex for 20 years at the Museum.   I was the Curator of Geology and Martha was Curator of Education and Public Programs.  We interacted with Alex on many joint projects.  His difficulties are now behind him.  We know it must have been hard on you and family over the duration of his illness.  Know that his former colleagues at the museum are saddened and share your loss.  Take comfort in a quiet read, a comfy chair, a walk along a trail amongst the trees or along a beach.  Alex will be with you in those reflections.  Peace and serenity will accompany you.
Love and hugs,
Bob and Martha Grantham


I was very sad this weekend to learn of Alex's death. He was a lovely man--bright, engaging and gracious. We last spoke at one of Dad's birthday parties, probably his 101st, when Alex brought back to the Millers two paintings created by one of my aunts for one of his aunts. Some of my favourite memories were of playing with our Wilson cousins--Stuarts and Spencers too--on rainy summer days on the verandah by Aunt Sadie's kitchen, or on bright evenings on the lawn looking over Lake Thomas. I considered Alex one of my brothers during those childhood years. Husband Iain joins me in sending our thoughts and prayers to Alex's family.

Sending my sincere condolences to Alex's family.  He was my supervisor at the NSM and a man who loved his work and his family.
So sorry for your loss
Lynn-marie Richard
Retired from Maritime museum of the Atlantic



To the family....glad.to have gotten to know Alex as  his barber for the last.bit.of his life. ....he was a gentleman qnd ill miss see you both.....Moe Montani 

Alex's professionalism and depth of knowledge contributed a great deal  to the collections and programs of the Nova Scotia Museum. Sincere condolences to the family.

Heather  so sorry to here of the loss of your brother, condolences to  your family!
Hugs to you and Howard
Anne & Scott

My condolences Heather,  to you and all of your family at this sad time.   Please know that you are in my thoughts and prayers. 



Heather, Carl and Christine it is with great sadness that I learned of Alex's passing.  We were great buddies, classmates and nature adventurers extraordinaire in our childhood and the memories of those times are priceless.  Our families, the Wilson's and Stuart's, were not only neighbours, but fine friends too.  My sincere condolences to you and your families.

Our sincere condolences to the Wilson family.

Mary & Peter Story

Hello.  I am sorry to hear of Alex's passing.  We were friends in high school.  Irene Poirier Cooper.


To my old colleague... may you again enjoy the wonders of nature as you did in the past...  My condolences to Christine, Michael, Andrew and Johanna..

Alex was a trusted and collaborative colleague at the Museum of Natural History. He came with big ideas and high ideals and his enthusiasm spurred us to produce better exhibits and experiences. A large public looked forward to his presentations and programs; Alex’s people couldn’t get enough. He accomplished so much. 



Donna & I want to pass on our sympathy to all of you at this time. Alex was a special person and I always enjoyed the time we shared be it in summer times at Fall River as kids or visits on his front porch in more recent years . May you all find comfort and hope in the good memories you have. Blessings and peace - Jack 

OBITUARY

Alexander Arthur Wilson

May 28, 1948 – December 29, 2021

Cruikshank's Halifax Funeral Home

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