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Crombie: Alex Jr. passed away peacefully and in his own way at Kootenay Boundary Regional Hospital on August 26, 2010. He was born March 12, 1923 in the County Borough of Barrow-in-Furness, England, then came to Trail as a six month old.


Alex was a true Canadian loving the outdoors, and spent most or all of his childhood years fishing the banks of the Columbia River. Fishing was his true love up until the moment he saw the future love of his life, Marion Johnson, skating at the old Trail rink. It was truly love at first sight. They were married December 12, 1945, spending the next fifty-six years together.


Before Alex married, he served three years with the Royal Canadian Air Force as an airplane body mechanic on The Queen Charolotte Island during the Second World War. He then returned home to Trail to spend the rest of his life. Alex loved the Kootenay’s and spent as much time as he could being close to nature. Nature was heaven to Alex.


Alex is survived by his only daughter Linda (Samir) Crombie Talhami; their children Jessica Talhami and Jennifer (Mike) Tavares, and Alex’s only great-grandchild Sean; son Gary (Colleen) Crombie and their daughters Jennifer and Tami; and his son Roy (Louise) Crombie and their children Jonathan and Sarah.


Alex worked for Cominco in the Instrument Department for 42 years touching the lives of those he worked with and those neighbours and friends who knew him well. He did not want his passing to be a sad day. Often he would say with a fishing rod in his hand, “I really have had a great life.”


A memorial service will be held at the Royal Canadian Legion in Trail on Thursday, September 2, 2010 at 11:00 a.m., with Neil Jarvie officiating. Veterans, Legionnaires, and Ladies’ Auxiliary please attend. Al Grywacheski of Personal Alternative Funeral Services “Carberry’s Chapel” is entrusted with arrangements.


At Alex’s request, donations in Alex’s memory may be made to a local charity of your choice. You are invited to leave a personal message of condolence at the family’s online Memorial Register at: personalalternative.com.


Happy fishing Alex, Marion’s waiting.

You were one of a kind.




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