Francis H. ""Mike"" Alexander Obituary (1927 - 2017)

Francis H." Mike" Alexander, 90, flew his last flight November 11, 2017 at Saratoga Hospital with his loving family by his side. He was born October 15, 1927 in Nyack, NY to the late Walter Houston Alexander and Anna Huffman Alexander. Francis spent his childhood in Queens, NY and Rockland County. Since he was a young boy he always wanted to be a pilot. After serving his country proudly in the U.S. Army, he began his career as an Electronic Instrument Engineer where he later worked at the Foxboro Co. for over 30 years. There was nothing he couldn't fix, His favorite saying was "If it ain't broke don't fix it" and if it could be fixed he would do it. He never saw an internal combustion engine he couldn't fix. Upon his retirement he built 3 planes, one of them being the Nieuport Fighter, a replica WW1 French plane permanently housed now in the Rhinebeck Museum. Francis volunteered at the Argyle Airport every day and when asked why, he said it brought him back to his youth and made him feel like a teenager again. Hunting, fishing and his dogs were his greatest joys, and all the neighborhood dogs loved him and followed him everywhere. He married the love of his life, Roberta Roosa Alexander in 1951 and they spent 66 years together. Francis was an honest, humble man who loved his family and of course chocolate fudge. In addition to his parents he was predeceased by his brother John Alexander. He is survived by his wife of 66 years Roberta Roosa Alexander of Greenwich; 5 children Patricia Marie Buickerood of Pepperell, MA, Michael Todd Alexander of Greenwich, Melissa Ann Skellie of Cambridge, Donna Jeanne Winkelman of Moreau and Paul Houston Alexander of Greenwich; 7 grandchildren Michael Alexander of Highland Falls, NY, Patricia Guttridge of Highland Falls, NY, Daniel Alexander Skellie of Albuquerque, NM, Rachel Marie Burr of Cambridge, Madeline Anne Skellie of Cambridge, Michayla Anne Winkelman of Moreau and Ryan Austin Winkelman of Moreau, NY; sister Virginia Merriweather Reed, several nieces, and nephews. A mass of a Christian burial will be held at 11:00am Wednesday, November 15, 2017 at St. Joseph's Church in Greenwich with the Rev. Martin Fisher officiating. Burial with full military honors will follow at 12:30pm at the Gerald BH Solomon Saratoga National Cemetery, 200 Duell Rd, Schuylerville, NY, 12871. Family and friends may call from 5-7pm on Tuesday, November 14, 2017 at Flynn Bros. Inc. Funeral Home, 80 Main St, Greenwich, NY, 12834. In lieu of flowers, donations in Francis's name may be made to Marine Toys for Tots Foundation, 18251 Quantico Dr, Triangle, VA, 22172 or at local reserve centers, or Peppertree Rescue, PO Box 2396, Albany, NY, 122206-0396. Online condolences and messages to the family may be made at www.flynnbrosinc.com