Alex was a generous, kind person, loving husband, father, brother and son. He was fortunate during the depression of the 1920’s to have a job and a means to support his family as many people were out of work. He was known by his family for his generosity to others less fortunate. Many times when buying a roast of beef for his family he would buy one for another family less fortunate. He never had a harsh word to say about others. Alex was a quiet, respectful man.
His children, Muriel, Frank, and Douglas have remembered the cold winter days when their father would bring their shoes and come to pick them up at the outdoor rink at Davisville Park. Their shoes had hot baked potatoes in them to keep them warm for the walk home. When they returned home, Alex would put the potatoes back on a special shelf in the furnace to reheat while the children got into their pajamas. Once in their pajamas they would eat the potatoes!
He worked as a night watchman (Simpsons), and also worked for F. Simpson & Son (grocer) in Toronto, Ontario. He would walk everywhere and he walked to/from work -- from Davisville Avenue to Bloor and Young to save 7 cents!
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| 1929 Essex Super 6 Sedan |
Alex had a wooden garage in the back yard of the Davisville Avenue home. For many years it was home to his 1929 Essex Super 6 sedan which he had purchased in 1931 from an estate. The Essex was never driven in the winter. It was used for family trips to see the cousins (and the dentist, Uncle Clement) in Beaverton, Ontario and to the farm of Aunt Jenny and Uncle Rob (Gordon) in Seagrave, Ontario. Often, Doug and Frank would sit on little chairs that they put behind the front seat. Papa Judd and Muriel would sit on the back seat on top of the bed linen that they took with them to sleep on. On rare occasions, they went on a Sunday trip to Mussleman's Lake for a picnic. It was a big affair and often included a coconut cake from Loblaws and a bottle of sarsaparilla (pop). Doug remembers the sad day when the junk dealer came to haul it away. The Essex had been a good car but had many miles on it and it's life was over. Muriel remembers her father getting $12 for it from the junk dealer and the dealer wanted to be sure it had the battery in it. It was the only car that Alex ever owned.
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| Alex's garage on Davisville Avenue |
Alex also had a workshop downstairs on Davisville Avenue. It had been at one time the original coal bin. He cleaned it all up, painted the concrete floor red, the place was immaculate. He used the room to make hooked rugs. Alex also stored nails and screws in baby food jars - the lids were tacked to the ceiling of his workshop. Funny the things grandchildren remember.
Alex was born in Georgetown, Ontario on June 22, 1891. He married Mary Louisa Judd on August 24, 1919 at the Bloor Street Baptist Church, 12 Clinton Avenue in Toronto. After retirement, he and Louise moved to Strathcona, Ontario where he died on April 19, 1958 at the age of 67 years. He is buried in Newburgh Cemetery with his wife Mary Louisa (Louise) and son, Frank. Reference # KG3718.
Alex had 5 siblings:
Isabella Lyla 1877-1953
Margaret Edna 1881-1956
Archibald Franklin 1883-1918
James Murray 1886-1960
Barbara Jessie 1889-1974
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| Alex & Louise McKinlay's Stone |
McKinlay - suddenly at his late residence, Strathcona on Saturday, April 19, 1958, Alexander Nicoll McKinlay, beloved husband of Louise Judd, and dear father of Mrs. D.R. Robertson, (Muriel) and Frank of Timmins, Douglas of Strathcona. Rested at the Wartman Funeral Home for funeral service in the Chapel on Tuesday, April 22, at 2:00 pm. Rev. H. A. Batstone officiated. Interment Newburgh Cemetery.
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