Obituary of Alexander William Low

LOW: Alexander "Sandy" William

May 15, 1939 - April 15, 2023

Alex  "Sandy" emigrated to Canada from Scotland in his twenties, looking for a new life and to extend his career as a chemist. For a time, he lived with his brother Jim Low, wife Madeline, and their three children Jamie, Kira, and Anik. He began working at Labatt Brewery in London, where he had a long career in R & D. He also had experience in the wine industry with Jackson-Triggs who asked him to be a business partner. We know that the wine branding was almost Jackson-Low-Triggs. At forty years old, Alex met Pam who had a 10-year-old daughter at home with her, as well as her two adult children who had moved away. Alex became a dad instantly, always present, available, and ready for a tickle fight. He rose to the challenge of raising a girl with an absent father and filled the much needed shoes of fatherhood. He became a mentor to that little girl and she became just like him and pursued a career in science as well. 

Pam and Alex enjoyed a marriage filled with adventure, which they mostly did as a family, from cross-country skiing which he did avidly until he was in his seventies, to driving up north for week-long vacations in the Muskokas and Bruce Peninsula, day-long hiking excursions around Fanshawe Lake, and weekends in Toronto with his brother Jim and his young family. Alex was always up for an adventure and Pam was his guide. Pam introduced Alex to camping and the great outdoors was their shared love. She was the planner, and he was the driver. When they were unable to travel as much they adopted a sweet Shetland Sheepdog named Katie which was the apple of their eye for over a decade. Alex walked Katie three times a day and was always eager to stop and speak with neighbours and other passersby. Alex and Katie were well-known in the neighborhood!

In Alex's final months, he shared stories of his adventures as a young man in his early twenties such as backpacking around Europe for weeks with several of his closest friends from Scotland. He raced yachts in Scotland and we have since come across a cherished yacht racing medal he hid away in his top drawer. He was always humble and private, and more eager to listen than to talk about himself; certainly new memories and mementos will crop up now after his passing. 

Alexander passed away Saturday evening after a relatively short struggle with ALS. Knowing that he was well loved, he was surrounded in his last days having his hand held by his wife Pam, his daughter Wendy, his granddaughter Mikaela, and his faithful caregiver Jaelina. His final wish was not to die alone, and we made sure his wish was granted. 

In his last hours, Sandy spoke that he saw his pre-deceased brother Jim. Sandy leaves behind his wife Pamela, his sister-in-law Madeline Low, his nephew Jamie Low, his nieces Kira and Anik Low, his brother Gordon Low, his sister-in-law Anne Low, and their families. He leaves behind his daughter Wendy and his granddaughter Mikaela. He also leaves behind Pam’s children Kim and Bruce and was a sweet grandpa as well to their children Kianna, Amey, and Adrien.

Alex, Dad, Sandy, you will be greatly missed as you touched many lives - perhaps more than you even knew. 

Rest in peace sweet man. I hope you and Jim are enjoying a drink together in heaven. I’m certain you are.

Godspeed.