Archie T. Alexander
AKRON - Archie T. Alexander, 89, passed away peacefully on Monday, May 20, 2024, at Summa Hospice.
Archie was born August 3, 1934 to Taso and Bessie (Thomas) Alexandrovich in McKeesport, PA, where the family had a bakery business. The family (including Archie’s older sister, Vivian) later settled in Akron, Ohio. In Akron, Archie attended Miller Elementary School, Garfield High School and later graduated from Kent State University. He also proudly served time in the military, being drafted into the Army in 1957. He spent time at Fort Dix, New Jersey, Fort Hood Texas, and was eventually stationed in Germany. During his service, he was promoted to “specialist” in the light weapons infantry before his honorable discharge in 1959. As befitting his disposition, he was awarded a “Good Conduct” medal.
After his education and military service ended, Archie proposed to his beautiful Natalie and they were married on September 15, 1963. The Macedonian and Serbian nuptials were celebrated by close to 1,000 friends and family at their reception. Archie and Natalie started their life together in the Goodyear Heights and Firestone Park neighborhoods where their two children Stephanie and Thomas were born. He then moved his young family to a new home in Stow in 1970, which is also where he spent his final days.
Archie’s career was spent working in the rubber and tire and defense contracting industries, holding various positions at Goodyear Tire and Rubber Company, Loral Corporation and Lockheed Martin. He retired after a combined 40 years of service. Throughout his employment, he also helped his parents and uncle run Archie’s Bar (named after him) and the Miller Hotel, their beloved neighborhood bar and hotel businesses located across from the headquarters of the Firestone Rubber Company. He was a longtime member of the Macedonian Businessman’s Club, attended St. Elia Macedonian Bulgarian Church, and was also a member of St. Archangel Michael Serbian Church.
Archie was an avid sports fan. He played baseball at Kent State University and was a longtime member of the Stow High School Booster Club. Until just a few years ago, he was a season ticket holder for Kent State Football games and a devoted Ohio State Buckeyes fan, attending many football games while his children attended school there. Most recently, he loved following his granddaughters events on their lacrosse and volleyball teams.
In addition to sports, Archie loved culture. He was a voracious reader and had books stacked on the tables (and on the floor) near his beloved leather recliner situated next to the windows overlooking the woods behind his house. His interests were wide-ranging: history, historical fiction, political thrillers, presidential biographies, mysteries, and even the Hunger Games series. He read the Akron Beacon Journal, the Cleveland Plain Dealer and the Sunday New York Times cover to cover. He also loved his decades-long subscriptions to the Smithsonian and New Yorker magazines (especially the “Goings on About Town” and “Tables for Two” sections). In addition to books, he loved movies. Archie especially loved seeing films at the historic Highland Square Cinema. In more recent years, he enjoyed movies at home on the Turner Classic Movies channel and his laughter would fill the house while watching Seinfeld reruns.
Archie is survived by his beloved wife of 60 years Natalie (Vukelich); children Stephanie (John) Raleigh of Plano, TX and Thomas Alexander of New York City, NY; granddaughters Daryn and Maia Raleigh; and many nieces, nephews, cousins, and extended family who were dear to him and who are scattered across Ohio, Michigan, Pennsylvania, Kansas, Virginia, Washington, D.C. and California.
Archie is preceded in death by his parents Taso and Bessie (Thomas) Alexandrovich; infant son Peter Thomas Alexander; sister and brother-in-law Vivian (Merle) Beachy; and niece Karen Beachy.
The family extends its deepest appreciation to the exceptionally kind and caring staff at the Heritage of Hudson Health and Rehabilitation Center and at Summa Hospice.
The family will receive friends Friday, May 31, 2024 from 4 to 7pm at the Anthony Funeral Home, 1990 S. Main St., Akron, Ohio where a Parastas service will take place at 6:30pm. Funeral service will be held Saturday, June 1, 2024 at St. Archangel Michael Serbian Orthodox Church, 2552 Pickle Rd., Akron, Ohio where the family will receive friends starting at 10am. Service will begin at 11am. Interment Mt. Peace Cemetery. Donations may be made to St. Archangel Michael Church.