Obituary of Alexander J. Robertson, Jr. (Alec)

Alec was born in New York on July 24, 1930 to Alexander Johnston Robertson, “Sandy”, and Sylvia Conway Robertson. His sister Pat (Patricia Robertson Wilson), was four years older. His childhood years were spent in Scarsdale and Bronxville, NY; the family summered in Bridgehampton, Long Island. From the age of 16, Alec attended Deerfield Academy, where he was on the track team; one athletic achievement was breaking a five minute mile. From Deerfield he joined the class of 1952 at Williams College, where he was a member of Psi Upsilon fraternity and majored in music. Although he didn’t pursue it as a career, music gave him joy throughout his life. He was a knowledgeable audience member and arts patron who could play by ear on the piano; and he took part in choral performances such as Handel’s Messiah. At parties he had a repertoire of popular, traditional and bawdy songs accompanied on the ukulele. Stories from Alec’s college years conjure a lot of hearty fun and high-jinks. While at Williams he met Mary Lee Hammesfahr, and travelled to and from Smith College with friends to go on dates. He was a steadfast alumnus, attending reunions, donating funds, and serving as his class secretary for many years. He never said “no” to any Williams event, and wore his purple and gold heart on his sleeve (and hat, and sweatshirt, and Ephie his dog, and “Eph 52” licence plate…). After graduating from Williams, Alec joined the army to be part of the Korean War effort. With an aptitude for languages, he was taught Russian and stationed in snowy Hokkaido, Japan to monitor radio communications. Upon returning to the USA, Alec embarked on a 40-year career in the beverage canning industry, working for firms including Continental Can, Ball and Metal Box. In the 1980s he started his own company, Robertson Group, a manufacturer’s representative. Alec worked hard, travelled extensively, and took an enormous amount of pride in his business. In 1957, Alec and Mary Lee were married. The couple had four children, and moved with Alec’s work around the Eastern seaboard, to South Africa and Colorado. Throughout, the family maintained ties to Bridgehampton, where they spent summers, playing tennis and golf, swimming in the ocean, and enjoying simple all-American pastimes such as barbeques and singing around the bonfire. Alec loved the outdoors and pursued his passions of skiing and sailing. His boat passion was realized in the co-ownership of a 30ft Nonsuch, Purple Tiger, which sailed out of Riverside, Connecticut. He was fascinated by wind, tides, and other natural phenomenon, and always kept an informed eye on the weather. After retirement, Alec turned his sales skills into fundraising for the Greenwich Symphony, and spent many years in volunteer positions at the Bridgehampton Club. In 2011, Mary Lee lost a long struggle with cancer. After her death, Alec re-connected with a childhood sweetheart, Judy Makrianes, and the two of them became a devoted couple. On January 29, 2022, Alec passed away surrounded by loving family. Gregarious Alec was a true light of this world, someone who lit up the room with his presence. Whatever his cares, he never lost his sense of fun, and was always ready to open a bottle or keep the party going. He was also a vigorous and disciplined worker, who kept abreast of world affairs and technological advancements, even mastering FaceTime to check in with his grandchildren. Although handsome, successful and accomplished, Alec remained a modest person through his life, with a bright interest in other people, their passions and their achievements. He especially loved hearing what young people thought of the world. He was also a true gentleman, with elegant, old school manners and a sense of chivalry. His family, who universally adored him, will do their best to carry his many wonderful qualities forward into the future. He is survived by this children, Robbie, Gratia McLane, Duncan, and Gillian Molesworth-St Aubyn; and grandchildren Andre, Alex, Trip, Allison, Nick, Miranda, George, Sophie and Freddy. A memorial service will be held for Alec on Saturday, June 18, at 10:30am (reception to follow) at the First Congregational Church of Old Lyme, 2 Ferry Road, Old Lyme, Connecticut 06371. There will also be a ukulele sing-along on Tuesday, June 21, following the Bridgehampton Club beach picnic at The Bridgehampton Club, 301 Ocean Road, Bridgehampton, NY 11932. Beach picnic starts around 6:00pm, singing to commence around 7:30pm. Email gmolesworth@gmail.com if you'd like further details on either event.