Francis C. Alexander

Rutland - Francis C. Alexander, 92, passed away on Saturday, June 20, 2026, while at Samaritan Medical Center, where he had been a patient for some time. Upon his passing, Francis was reunited with his beloved wife, Doris, after their parting one year, one month, and three days before.

Francis was born on March 12, 1934, in Copenhagen, on his grandparents' farm on the Alexander Road, to the late Marion M. Alexander.

Following his attendance at Copenhagen Central School, Francis enlisted in the United States Marines in 1951. First in Parris Island, South Carolina, Francis went on to serve at a variety of posts, including Cherry Point, North Carolina, Memphis, Tennessee, and Jacksonville, Florida. While in the service, he met a woman by the name of Doris Dotson, and the rest was history. They began their correspondence while he was stationed at Cherry Point. In between service obligations, he hitchhiked many miles to see her whenever he could. One of his longest trips from Jacksonville, Florida, to Salem, Ohio, and back was 1,738 miles.

Francis married the love of his life and best friend, Doris, on December 24, 1954, in Salem, Ohio. They spent 73 years of their life together, married for 70.

Following an honorable discharge from the Marines, Francis brought Doris back home to the North Country, where they settled down to raise their family of four. Known affectionately as a “Jack of all Trades”, he worked a variety of jobs in the area, including Russel Finch in Black River, doing tree work and fuel deliveries, and working a variety of construction and building jobs, before his eventual retirement as a Maintenance Technician from Walmart in 2017.

Francis and his wife owned a 1960 Pontiac, which they enjoyed showing. Traveling together to car shows for over 40 years brought them to many places throughout the country, including various places in New York, Pennsylvania, Connecticut, North Carolina, and Colorado. In addition to their love for car shows, Francis and Doris traveled to Gettysburg, VA, Antietam, MD, and Manassas, VA, where they were able to delve more into their shared Civil War interests. Many vacations were taken together along the Outer Banks of North Carolina and its towns and beaches, and meeting with relatives out in the Charlotte area.

He is survived by his children, Lana Alexander of Watertown, Kandy (John) McGraw of Copenhagen, George (Vanessa) Alexander of Dexter, and Gordon Alexander of Tampa, FL, five grandchildren; seven great-grandchildren; three great-great-grandchildren; and a half-brother, Ronnie Cody.

He is predeceased by his beloved wife, Doris.

Donations in his memory may be made to Lundy Funeral Home to assist the family in their time of loss.

Arrangements are entrusted to the Lundy Funeral Home and Cremation Service, Inc., 500 State St., Carthage. Online condolences in his memory may be made at www.lundyfuneralhome.com