BEER, Alexander Mitchell

 November 16th, 1944 - July 23rd, 2023

Alex Beer was a kind and loving husband and father; successful newspaper executive; natural leader, and a friend to many people.

Born in 1944 in Glasgow, Scotland, he died in Hamilton, Ontario on July 23, 2023.

Alex leaves his wife of 30 years, Susan Emigh. He was devoted to his family and proud and protective of them all: Dan (RoseAnne Prevec), David (Mari Evans), Jason (Kim), Jim/Kimo and daughter Jennifer (Mark) Cartwright as well as his stepchildren Alexander Burman (Elissa Tepperman) and Rachael Burman (Brian Richardson), and his grandchildren Madeline, Elliot, Alexandra, Dante, Liam, Francis, Emily, Isobella and Margaret.

Alex’s parents were George and Jessie Beer, and he has a brother George (Anne). He had a wonderful Scottish childhood, including playing and attending lots of soccer and rugby. He always appreciated the opportunity to attend a private school, Jordanhill, where he excelled in both academics and sports.

Although a love of animals sparked an interest in becoming a veterinarian, by 16 he decided on a career in journalism, starting as a newsroom copy boy at the Daily Mail in Glasgow. At 21, with his first wife Joyce Killin and 15-month-baby David, he emigrated to Canada which he decided is the "best country in the world”. Son Jason arrived soon after.

With his second wife Rose Petersen, he had daughter Jennifer and adopted Rose’s two children Dan and Jim. Now with five children, it was an active, busy life living in the hamlet of Jerseyville, near Hamilton.

With his third wife Susan, he helped raise Alex and Rachael while enjoying travel, music, theatre and, in particular, his love of history and the hobby of wargaming.

When he arrived in Canada in 1966, he joined The Hamilton Spectator as a copy editor, and was quickly promoted through several departments, becoming managing editor and then editor-in-chief during the 1970s through 1990s. He spent two years as the publisher of the Owen Sound Sun Times, and then created and led, for 18 years, an innovative and successful corporate newsroom providing editorial services for newspapers across Canada and the world as Southam Editorial Services, now Postmedia Editorial Services.

A well-loved and highly respected leader, there are many stories of appreciation about him as a creative problem-solver and kind, personable manager. He always believed a good boss is honest and caring.

He will be dearly missed by family and friends.

A celebration of Alex’s life will be held on September 24, 2023 at the Ancaster Mill from 1 to 4 p.m.

If you are considering a tribute, you should know he appreciated the work of Animal Adoptions of Flamborough.

Arrangements entrusted to SMITH'S FUNERAL HOME, BURLINGTON (9005-632-3333) www.smithsfh.com