Lincoln Alexander - Later Life and Death

Later Life and Death

In 1992, Alexander was appointed to the Order of Ontario. He also became a Companion of the Order of Canada. From 1991 to 2007, he served as Chancellor of the University of Guelph. His term exceeded that of any of his predecessors, and he assumed the office of Chancellor Emeritus.

In 2000, Alexander was named Chair of the Canadian Race Relations Foundation, where he remained an active spokesman on race relations and veterans' issues. Until the time of his death, he was the Honorary Patron of the Hamilton, Ontario branch of St. John Ambulance, as well as Honorary Chief of the Hamilton Police Service.

In November 2006, his autobiography Go to School, You're a Little Black Boy: The Honourable Lincoln M. Alexander: A Memoir was published.

Alexander died in his sleep on the morning of October 19, 2012, at the age of 90. The national and provincial flags outside the Ontario Legislative Building were flown at half-mast and tributes were given by various viceroys and politicians. His body lay in state, first inside the Ontario Legislative Building at Queen's Park, followed by Hamilton City Hall. He was survived by his second wife Marni and son Keith from his marriage to his first wife Yvonne Harrison (predeceased in 1999). Also survived by daughter-in-law Joyce and grandchildren Erika and Marissa.

Alexander was accorded a state funeral which was conducted at Hamilton Place and attended by 1,500 people including Premier Dalton McGuinty, former Premier David Peterson, Governor General David Johnston, former Governor General Michaëlle Jean, Prime Minister Stephen Harper, former Prime Minister Joe Clark and federal cabinet minister Julian Fantino.