Norman Alexander, the longest-serving member ever of Winnipeg’s financial services community, died July 10 at the age of 95.

A 75-year veteran by the time he retired in June 2002, Alexander’s career began as a stock marker at Richardson Securities Inc. in Vancouver in 1927. He moved up to become managing partner of the firm and vice-president of its parent, James Richardson and Sons Ltd., before retiring for the first time in 1974.

For the last 28 years of his career, he worked as an investment advisor in
Winnipeg, most recently with RBC-Dominion Securities. Over the years, Alexander served as the national chairman of the Investment Dealers Association of Canada, the president of the Vancouver Stock Exchange and president of the Manitoba Club. He was also a director of numerous corporations, including Investors Group, Dome Petroleum and Westeel.

Alan Dunnett, vice-president and branch manager of RBC-DS in Winnipeg, calls Alexander a “real inspiration” for his dedication and commitment to both the investment industry and Winnipeg.

“His career has been not only one of the longest but one of the most distinguished in our business,” he says. “He left as big a mark as you’ll see in the business community but because it was done over such a long period of time, many people don’t know of it anymore.”