In Loving Memory
Celebrating the Life of Howard John Alexander
It is with profound sadness that we announce the passing of Howard Alexander who left us on May 17, 2025, at the age of 75. Howard was a cherished member of our community, known for his kindness, generosity, and unwavering spirit.
Born in Brockville on April 16, 1950, Howard lived a life full of love and dedication to the arts, especially music. He is sadly missed by his wife Deborah (Dunleavy) and his children: Catherine, Abraham (Rebecca) and Charlotte (Jenna) and Liz (Ben) Xafflory, his grandson Lex, and sister-in-law and brother-in-law Linda and Douglas Stockley. Predeceased by his parents Ed and Betty Alexander, and his brothers Ted and Bruce.
Howard’s passion for music began at an early age while sitting in his parent’s home listening to recordings of Mozart, Beethoven and Bach. In public school he took up the clarinet and in high school he began playing the bassoon. This led to his first engagement at the age of 16 with the Kingston Symphony. After graduating with a degree in Music from Queens University, Howard went on to perform with various ensembles including the St. Johns Symphony in Newfoundland, and the National Ballet Orchestra in Toronto.
Howard was among the first people to be inducted into the Brockville and Area Performing Arts Hall of Fame, and the Brockville Collegiate Institute Wall of Fame. He composed over 200 pieces for jazz bands, concert bands, ensembles, choirs, organ, and student musicians. This led to him becoming an Associate Member of the Canadian League of Composers and a Professional Member of the Canadian Music Centre.
Many of Howard’s works were born out his creative collaboration with his spouse and muse, Deborah, including their opera “The Last Wife”. One of his proudest moments was hearing his orchestral music for the Storytelling Oratorio “Isobel Gunn” which Deborah wrote and performed at the Scottish International Storytelling Festival in Edinburgh, Scotland in 2019.
As an educator of music, Howard inspired thousands of young people. He advocated for the rights of teachers in his role as Vice-President of the Upper Canada local of the Elementary Teacher’s Federation of Ontario, a job he loved.
Throughout his life, Howard was passionate and philanthropic. He was a church organist and choir director for many years, and he advocated strongly for the arts in and around Brockville. He was the founding director of the Riverside Singers and the Brockville Community Choir. For years, alongside his friend Lance Beshara, Howard was an Associate Conductor for The Brockville Concert Band.
In recent days Howard continued to compose, working on an opera with Deborah, and writing a composition for organ. Two day before he passed Howard, was having an online debate about a work by Mozart with his life-long friend Gwil Williams.
Howard leaves behind a legacy of kindness, compassion, and a willingness to fight for what he believed in. He loved a good political rant and was well versed in history. He had an insatiable passion for reading and would happily sit at a table with fellow bridge enthusiasts. While Howard leaves behind his loved ones, his friends and colleagues, his music lives on.
Celebration of Howard’s life takes place on Wednesday, June 18 at Wall Street United Church, Brockville, Ontario. Doors open at 12:45pm. Service at 2pm. In lieu of flowers donations may be made to the Brockville Music Festival.
Howard Alexander, composer, musician, teacher, arts advocate, dies at 75 – The Recorder, Brockville