DEBRIE, Alexander P. W. - Born February 24, 1926 in Espanola ON, to Dan and Mary (Sokoloski) Debrie.
Alex grew up in Kirkland Lake and Sudbury and spent summers on his grandparents’ farm outside of McKerrow ON.
A graduate of Sudbury Mining & Technical School, Alex was an outstanding athlete in his youth as a member of many high school championship football and hockey teams.
A veteran of WWII, Alex saw service in France, Holland and Germany with the Canadian Army as a member of the Lincoln and Welland Regiment. Following wartime service, in 1946, Alex moved to Missanabie ON, where he worked at different times, as a laborer for Austin Lumber, a miner in Renabie Mines, learned the prospecting trade, and operated a Restaurant Business, all while assisting his Mother and Uncles to establish a thriving Hotel and Tourist Business.
Over the next decades Alex became the sole proprietor of the Missanabie Hotel and Tourist Outfitters, and operated this very successful business until he sold it in 1992.
Alex was very active in his community serving as a member and chairman of the Missarenda District School Board, and was instrumental in the construction of the new district school in Missanabie in 1971.
Alex also served as a Justice of the Peace for the District of Algoma during the 1970’s and early 1980s.
Following his sale of the Missanabie Hotel in 1992, Alex moved to Bracebridge and retired.
Throughout his life Alex was a passionate sportsman, an avid reader, and lover of classical and big band music. He believed that education, a strong work ethic and civic responsibility were the keys to a successful life. Alex was an outstanding story teller who loved to enrapt an audience with tales of his youth and hunting and fishing adventures. He was a fountain of knowledge and wisdom, who would surprise anyone foolish enough to engage him in a battle of wits.
Alex is predeceased by his parents Dan and Mary Debrie, sister Helen, brothers Peter and Michael and most recently special nephew Robert Debrie.
He is survived and will be greatly missed by his 2nd wife Ruth, sister Anne Maclean of Sudbury, and his children; Janet Groneng (Martin), Pierrette Palmquist (Eric), Ivan Debrie, Daniel Debrie, Colette Pierce (Darrell) and Anthony Debrie (Joan); as well as his 8 grandchildren, 3 great grandchildren, 2 step daughters Barb Morin(Phil) and Pam Morin (Stan), 5 step grandchildren and 5 step great grandchildren, first cousin and friend Barry Sokoloski, his wife Caroline, and all those that had the privilege of sharing his time.
A celebration of Alex’s life will be held on Saturday Nov 28th at the Royal Canadian Legion in Bracebridge from 2pm to 5pm.
In lieu of flowers, donations to the Royal Canadian Legion Branch #161 Bracebridge would be gratefully accepted.
Thank you to all of the Nurses and staff at the South Muskoka Memorial Hospital, special thanks to Drs Mittal, Gupta and Moran, Nurses Cindy, Sarah, Penny, Amy and Tammy.
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