Alex Blair

[Grant Bowker]

As the current custodian of the manual collection started by Alex, I don't know where the perception "we weren't allowed to call him Mr. Manual anymore" came from and right now that doesn't matter.
As far as I'm concerned - Alex was, is and always will be the original Mr. Manual. Without his recognition of the value of the manuals to collectors, restorers and researchers many of the manuals would have been lost and they certainly would not have been gathered into a unified information source. Where others may have seen a group of dusty old books about rusty old trucks Alex saw a gold mine of information that he took joy in sharing with the world.

[Eric B]

Catherine

On behalf of myself and the other Ontario Military Vehicle Association members who met or knew Alex our condolences to you and your family.

Alex will be sorely missed.

Eric

[RHClarke]

We said good-bye to one of our own today. Alex would have liked the service - short and sweet. Kinda like the man himself.

Photos:
1. Photo from Alex's memorial service booklet.
2. One night at Gracies...
3. Alex's interests were quite varied. He holds one of George Blackburns great books, "Where the Hell are the Guns?"
4. A rose between two thorns?

[Catherine Blair]

Thank you so much to the people who came. We truly appreciated seeing you. Thank you to Stuart F and Stewart L, thank you Bob, Robin, Grant, and anyone else I may have missed. Stuart, thank you for bringing your baby. Dad would have loved it. And to all the people who sent tributes, thank you. It was an absolutely beautiful sunny day and we were all touched at how many people from dads various adventures came.

Edit to add: a special thank you from my mom, sister and brother in law.

[Alex van de Wetering]

I don't know where the perception "we weren't allowed to call him Mr. Manual anymore"

Grant, I was referring to a post by Alex himself in which he said he was no longer Mr. Manual. Maybe my choice of words could have been better.
As I said, I and probably others got to know him as Mr. Manual, so it's good to see this nickname is now displayed under his forum name to honour Alex.

Alex

[Harry Moon]

Alex, you were so helpful in getting me started, the manuals now wonderfully worn and greasy are my constant reference guide. Your hospitality when I was in Ottawa was very much appreciated.
Here's a pint to you Alex...