Obituary of Douglas Russell Alexander

1935 – 2019

“I’ve had a truly wonderful life.”

Douglas Russell Alexander passed away from lung cancer, just short of his 84^th birthday, on Sunday, November 10, 2019 at the Pasqua Hospital in Regina.

He was predeceased by his parents Jack and Helen.  Doug is survived by his wife of 60 years JOANNA; two daughters WENDY BELL of Melfort (Peter, granddaughter Leah and grandson Ryan) and KAREN ALEXANDER (Jane Apperley) of England; sister MARI WILLARD of Calgary Alberta; brothers ERNIE ALEXANDER of Sicamous BC, and COLIN ALEXANDER of Kamloops BC; as well as numerous nieces, nephews and cousins.

Doug was born in Nipawin, Saskatchewan in 1935 and lived on his parent’s homestead in the Choiceland area. He moved to Saskatoon with his parents at the start of WW II, and there took his schooling. He started his radio career at CKOM while still attending grades eleven and twelve.

He came to Regina in 1959 where he was a radio personality for 38 years with 620 CKCK Radio Regina, one of Canada’s pioneer radio stations. He is a 50+ year member of the Canadian Association of Broadcasters.

Upon retirement from CKCK in 1997, Doug joined Cable Regina (which is now called Access Communications Co-operative Limited). He was their Manager of Community Relations at the time of his passing.

Doug was very involved in planning the November 11^th celebrations at the Agridome for a number of years. He had a deep interest in WW I & II (because his father served overseas and never talked about it) plus he was a huge Winston Churchill fan.

While at CKCK, and when the Roughrider games were broadcast on the radio station, Doug created the original game mascot – a gopher which was later named “Gainer”.

His voice was recognized wherever he went and he will be remembered for his “Reading the Funnies” and ability to entertain with a never-ending supply of great stories.

His many community involvements include:

• Past President of the Regina Rotary Club
• Past President of the Regina Exhibition Assoc.
• Past President of the Heart & Stroke Foundation of Sask.
• Past President of the Regina South Constituency for the Sask. Party
• Past Chair of the Sask. Express Musical Theatre Company
• Chairman of the Board of the Access Communications Children’s Fund
• Voice of the RCMP Musical Ride when performing in Regina.
• Volunteer responsibilities with RAM Football, United Way, host of Access Communications TV Bingo, MC for Duck’s Unlimited dinners, and at one time or another has emceed every major event in Regina.

He received the Government of Canada Volunteer medal and the Saskatchewan Centennial Medal for outstanding achievements in volunteer service. He was honored to receive a Life membership in the Heart and Stroke Foundation of Saskatchewan.

Celebration of Life for Doug, will be held at the Delta Regina, 1919 Saskatchewan Drive, Regina, SK, on Saturday, November 23, 2019 at 2:00 p.m.  Interment will take place for family at his favorite vacation place – Katepwa Lake. The family plot is located at the Anglican Church cemetery.

Family and friends so wishing may make donations in memorium to either the Access Communications Children’s Fund, c\o Access Communications Co-operative Limited, 2250 Park St., Regina SK, S4N 7K7 or the Regina Rotary Community Fund Inc., c/o Rotary Club of Regina, PO Box 164, Regina SK, S4P 2Z6.

“We make a LIFE by what we get, we make a LIFETIME by what we give.”

Winston Churchill