Storyteller, Craftsman & Patriarch
ALEXANDER VALENTINE STIRLING, one of the last coopers in Canada, died on November 5th, 2014 at St. Michael's Health Centre - Palliative Care Unit in Lethbridge, at the age of 77 years.
Alex was raised in Perth, Scotland, where he completed his cooper's apprenticeship at Mathew Gloag's and then worked for Dewar's Distillery. In 1971 he immigrated to Canada and shortly thereafter he began to work for Palliser Distilleries in Lethbridge, Alberta, where he stayed until his retirement in 1999. As well, he ran his own private business, Loch Shin Cooperage, creating custom barrels for individuals, wineries and businesses.
Alex could make anything out of wood: oak barrels, lamps, tables and entire structures. His wife Jean despaired that he also insisted he could do the electrical and the plumping himself. This insistence led to more than one flooded kitchen. Mostly however, he could make oak sing; bending, shaping and polishing it until it could take on near miraculous properties.
Alex loved nothing more than making his family laugh at terrible puns and rhyming slang, reeling in a big fish, dancing with his wife Jean to Frank Sinatra, winning every domino match he played and raising a glass of really good scotch.
Alex is survived by his "Bonnie Lass" Jean, his wife of 41 years; daughters Dawne (Patrick Rye) and Glenda; son Wayne; granddaughter Kerrie-Lee (Steven Scott), great-grandson MacKay Stirling Scott and brother Fraser (Sheila).
The family extends sincere thanks to the staff at the Peter Lougheed Hospital, Lethbridge Chinook Hospital and St. Michael's Health Centre for their dedicated care. We extend a special thank you to the Lethbridge Home Care Nurses for their commitment and care, and gratitude to the friends and neighbors who have stood by Alex and given him comfort and laughs during this long journey.
A private cremation was held at Cornerstone Funeral Home and Crematorium. At a later time, a plaque-laying memorial on the Wall of Remembrance in the Lethbridge Mountain View Cemetery will be held for close friends and family. As he wished, Alexander's ashes will be spread by family in Canada and Scotland. In lieu of flowers please buy a good bottle of scotch and raise a glass or make a donation to the Canadian National Institute for the Blind (CNIB) 410 Stafford Dr S, Lethbridge, AB T1J 2L2.
Husband, father, grandfather and great-grandfather, friend; We shall miss you, each and every day. We shall laugh and dance, sing and raise a glass in memory and celebration.
If there is another world, he lives in bliss;
If there is none, he made the best of this.
Robert Burns
