Alexander Strachan fought bravely after being diagnosed with Acute Myeloid Leukemia. On Monday, August 31, 2015, Alex lost that fight and passed away peacefully at UMass Memorial Medical Center, surrounded by his family. He was 74.

He was born in Dundee, Scotland, a son of the late Alexander and Margaret Baird Ward Strachan. Alex immigrated from Scotland as a young man. With his young family, Alex settled in Barre and lived there for several years. He worked for the former Barre Wool and Beard Motors before beginning a career with TYCO Industries in Worcester, where he retired as a maintenance electrical engineer following 24 years on the job. His Scottish heritage was ever present in Alex’s life, most notably in his passion for his favorite pastime, golf. He was able to enjoy one last round with his brother Tommy as he was ready to enter treatment during this past summer. He also enjoyed mowing his lawn and maintaining the yard, throwing a good game of darts, and spending time at the beach, particularly coastal Maine. Alex’s greatest joy was found in his family, spending his free time with them all, especially his grandchildren and great grandchildren.

Alex will be deeply missed by his loving wife of 16 years, Carol (Dixon) Strachan; his two beloved children and their families, Sonia Sieger and her husband, Keith of Rutland and Alexander Strachan, Jr. and his wife, Deborah of Rutland; his brother, Thomas Strachan and his wife, Mima of Dundee, Scotland; his five grandchildren, Darren, Dean, Taylor, Kaelyn and Nicholas; his three great grandchildren, Nathan, Brody and Jasmyne; and many nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by his sister, Ann Menzies, brother, Peter Donnelly, sister, Kathy Williams, brother, Thomas Donnelly, and sister, Margaret Strachan.

The family would like to thank the doctors and staff of the Bone Marrow Transplant unit on the 8th floor and 6th floor ICU at UMass Memorial University campus for the compassionate care and love shown to Alex during his hospitalization.

Relatives and friends are invited to visit with Alex’s family on Friday, September 4, from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. at the Miles Funeral Home, 1158 Main Street, Holden. (Please refrain from wearing perfume or cologne if you are attending.) A private funeral service and interment service will be held on Saturday.