Alexander Kananovich

Wellesley - 'Be forever mindful of the needs of others' is the way in which Alexander Kananovich lived his life and the values he instilled in his family.

He died peacefully in the presence of family in Cape Cod Hospital on Friday, August 5, 2016 after long life well lived. He was 92.

Alexander Sergey Kananovich was born February 1, 1924 in South River, New Jersey a son of Russian immigrants Sergei Anton and Barbara (Sadowski) Kananovich. Raised and educated in South River he was a graduate of South River High School where he was quarterback for its football team. While in high school he was recruited to be a member of the V-12 Navy College Training Program. He earned his bachelor's degree from MIT and honorably served his country during World War II.

The decision to attend school at Massachusetts Institute of Technology in Cambridge rather than Stanford proved the right decision for many reasons but perhaps above all he met Evelyn Stamas and they married September 5, 1948 in the Annunciation Greek Orthodox Cathedral in Boston's South End. They were residents of Watertown for over 53 years until they moved to Waterstone at Wellesley Retirement Community.

He worked as an engineer for the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority for over 20 years before retiring in 1989.

'Big Al', 'Lindy', 'Grampy', 'Al', 'Alex' . . . he was a much loved man with many nicknames. He had a terrific and contagious sense of humor and always had a smile on his face. While living on Madison Avenue in Watertown he entertained all of the children and virtually all the neighborhood kids were members of 'Al's pals.'

He was a talented painter, daily Sudoku player, maintained a green thumb in his gardens and was a lover of music and dancing with his much loved bride, Evelyn. Alex was an avid fan of the Red Sox and Patriots. He was a 32nd degree Mason in which he was inducted from the Theodore Roosevelt Lodge in New Jersey and later a member of the Pequossette Lodge in Watertown and lastly the Dalhousie Lodge in Newton as well as the Scottish Rite and Aleppo Shriner's.

He loved all things associated with the ocean . . . the beach, dolphins, sailboats and a good lobster and bowl of clam chowder.

He was predeceased by his siblings, Arthur and Nicholas Kananovich, Nina Karwatt, Florence Mayo and Genia Ward.

In addition to his wife of 67 years, Evelyn, he leaves their daughters, Susan Kananovich of Watertown and Cynthia K. Bethune and her husband, Lawrence, of West Newton; his granddaughters, Brittany Kate Bethune and Michaela Alexandra Bethune; his siblings, Archibald 'Archie' Kananovich and his wife, Jean, and Sonia Plutnick, all of East Brunswick, New Jersey and many nieces and nephews.

Family and friends will honor and remember Alexander's life by gathering for calling hours in The Joyce Funeral Home, 245 Main Street (Rte. 20), Waltham on Thursday, August 11th from 5 to 8 p.m. A Masonic ritual will be held at 7 pm. His funeral service will be held on Friday morning 10 a.m. in the funeral home. Burial will follow in Newton Cemetery.

Memorials in his name may be made to the Shriners Hospitals for Children, 51 Blossom Street, Boston, MA 02114.