Jerry Alexander will celebrate his 80th birthday on Sunday, March 6, and to honour him, his co-workers at Cross Canada Flooring celebrated with cake and an ad in the paper.
Alexander started working for Sammy Kline flooring around 20 years old. He worked there for 25 years. He also ran his own business for about six years, worked at a furniture store for another 10, and then at Carpet Gallery for 14 years.
Alexander grew up in Eyebrow, Saskatchewan, about an hour’s drive from Moose Jaw.
“My dad had a barbershop and a pool room out there,” he remembers. “My mother ran her red-and-white grocery store. And we also farmed. As kids, we were pretty busy.”
When Alexander’s father decided to retire, none of the kids wanted to take over the farm, so the family sold it and moved to Moose Jaw. He’s been here ever since.
Alexander’s wife died six years ago now. If she were still alive, this summer would have been their 59th anniversary. He remembers their world travels fondly – Spain, the Philippines, New Zealand, China, and more.
“It’s been a long time,” Alexander says of his work, “but it’s a nice kind of business.”
When he started in the flooring industry, he says, it was all carpet and linoleum. “Now you got all this fancy stuff,” he says. “Luxury vinyl planks and tiles, and we have all types of hardwoods.”
Alexander enjoys where he’s working now. “I’m in the position now where if I don’t like it, I don’t have to stay, so… Jeff is such a nice guy to work for, I’m quite happy here. And I think he’s quite happy that I’m here, too.”
He isn’t planning on retiring: “As long as my health is good, I’m going to stay working. It gives me something to do, gives me something to get up in the morning for. And I like people, you know? There’s always headaches, but you know, you work through that. Sometimes you create your own,” he smiles.
Alexander has a calm, reassuring manner and an easy laugh. Stop by this week if you can to wish him a happy birthday.
