Alex Mair: Edmonton's champion storyteller, by Bruce Ibsen

At the ceremony naming part of 108 Avenue as Alex Mair Way, Bruce Ibsen, Archivist and friend, speaks about the inspiration generated by historian, Alex Mair's great love of life.
Date: 1926 to November 25, 2003

Councillors, honoured guests, ladies and gentlemen, it is my great pleasure to stand before you today to tell you about a friend of mine Alex Mair. Like many people here today I am indeed very fortunate to have called him friend. Alex was a quiet giant who touched everyone he met with his warmth, humour and style. His sudden death in September 2001 left a gaping hole in our hearts and a huge void in the local history scene. To this day I still expect Alex to come into the archives and regale us with wonderful stories, telling us where he had been or what he had been up to.

For the record Alex Mair was born in Edmonton in 1926 and lived here his whole life. Though he was interested in writing at an early age, his parents encouraged him to pursue a more reliable profession. Always respectful of them, Alex attended the University of Alberta, graduating with a degree in civil engineering in 1948. Soon after he found work with the City of Edmonton engineering department, but did not forget his interest in writing and began submitting articles to an assortment of magazines. Eventually the lure of writing drew him away from his engineering career.

In the late 1950's he began submitting articles to CBC Radio in Winnipeg and later started writing for the Southam Business Publications group in the early 1960's. Along with his continued work with CBC, Alex found time in 1967 to help organise and launch the Radio and Television Arts program at N.A.I.T. In 1978 he began writing a daily column for the Edmonton Journal and in the early 1980's started submitting weekly columns to Real Estate Weekly. Over the next twenty years he published hundreds of articles and several books including a history of the Edmonton Police Service and the very successful Gateway City. Alex was in the final stages of following up Gateway City with a second series of stories when he passed away.

Alex started coming into the City Archives in the 1980's and endeared himself to the staff almost immediately. He was warmly welcomed into our coffee sessions and took part in the lunchroom banter. No matter what we were discussing Alex always seemed able to toss a funny anecdote into the conversation, leaving us all in stitches. He had a remarkable way of lighting up a room with his manner and presence. I could always tell if Alex was in the Archives lunchroom by following the sound of laughter. Through it all Alex enlivened Edmonton's history, providing colour and personality to our characters and events. People fortunate enough to hear him speak listened attentively while he lovingly retold the tales of our past.

While I can't recall any specific anecdotes of the many Alex told I am reminded of the time when he was helping the Edmonton Historical Board celebrate the 25 anniversary of their recognition awards. The event was a multi-media extravaganza and Alex had agreed to act as a co-host. As seems the case when dealing with new-age technology, there was an unscheduled pause in the show. I hurriedly asked Alex if he could explain to the gathered audience that there would be a 10-minute delay while various elements of the technology were re-programmed. With a chuckle and a smile he willingly agreed and headed for the podium. What ensued next will always remain with me as classic Alex Mair. He quickly explained the technical difficulties and then began to relay anecdotes about Edmonton generally and his appreciation for history specifically. You could hear a pin drop as he chatted with the audience. His delivery was so relaxed and friendly it was as if he was speaking to everyone individually. When he finished the audience erupted into heartfelt applause lasting many moments.

Whether it was playing music, undertaking tasks, as an engineer, raising a family or fulfilling his ambition of writing Alex Mair was an individual who thoroughly enjoyed his life. It is a superb and fitting gesture for the City of Edmonton and the Edmonton Historical Board to recognise this wonderful ambassador of our heritage by naming the portion of 108 Avenue in front of the Prince of Wales Armouries as Alex Mair Way. Given his humble manner I'm sure Alex would be surprised and very grateful for this honour.