Alexander "Alex" L. Wade

With profound sadness, we announce the passing of Alexander Louis Wade (Alex to most of us).  Alex was a beloved family member, cherished friend, and prominent and respected member of the community, who left us peacefully on November 28, 2023.  He was known by many in Ulster County as a "walking encyclopedia" of Saugerties facts, especially any involving his beloved combination of architecture, history, building codes and transportation matters.

Alex was born December 10, 1936, to Dr. Brian L. Wade and Eliza Pearl (Snodgrass) Wade. His mother was known as "Aunt Pearl" to the family.  At the age of 37, Aunt Pearl gave birth to a lovely little boy and named him Alexander Louis.  Despite her delicate health, she lived to 98 and was sharp as a tack to the end.

 Alex spent his early childhood in Charleston, South Carolina.  When he entered the public school system, his parents determined that it was not adequately challenging for him, so they transferred him to a private school.  There was some distance between home and school, and no clear way to have Alex make the journey each day ... so six-year-old Alex stood by the road, flagged down a bus, paid a small fare, and the driver dropped him off at school.

The year Alex turned 12, his father was offered a professorship at the University of Illinois, and the family moved to Champaign-Urbana. The following summer, Alex and his mother went to the family farm in West Virginia to visit his grandparents, and Dr. Wade stayed behind to work. While they were in West Virginia, they received word that Dr. Wade had died of a heart attack. 

Alex completed school at a small high school in Smithfield and graduated as the valedictorian.  He once remarked that the school was a good fit at that difficult time in his life, because it was so small that every student was important and felt at home there.  After graduation, he returned to the University of Illinois to study architecture.  When he finished his degree, he did some work in Mannington, WV and at Glennville State College in Glennville, WV.  He eventually spent some time working in New York City, as well as several months in Europe to learn more about different styles of architecture.

Alex's return to the U.S. eventually found him at home in Saugerties, NY, where he would spend his remaining years very productively.  He was hired on July 1, 1991, as a Code Enforcement officer for the Village of Saugerties.  He handled special assignments for 4 successive Saugerties mayors -- John M. Robbins, Anthi (Tina) Chorvas, Robert Yerick and the present Saugerties Mayor, William (Bill) Murphy.  Alex shepherded many key Saugerties projects from start to finish.  He was on the original Saugerties Lighthouse Board and was the Lighthouse Conservancy architect and construction manager.  (When he was 82, he wrote a history of how the lighthouse was saved from extinction, for the Saugerties Historical Society newsletter.)  Alex teamed with Mayor Robert Yerick to begin a "Village Streetscape" project that is still ongoing. The project largely eliminated unsightly overhead utility wires from Main and Partition Streets and has involved the selective replacement of damaged Village bluestone sidewalks. 

Alex was an expert consultant as well as an author.  He was on the board of directors of the Saugerties Historical Society, where he was its first vice president and remained an officer for almost 20 years.  He consulted for projects such as the Saugerties Bike Routes, the Saugerties Area Mobility Analysis and the restoration of the Dutch Barn that the Saugerties Historical Society situated on the Kiersted House property.  Alex's European studies contributed to his publishing books on small-frame and energy-efficient houses (1977), a subject that was ahead of its time when these books were published.

If a hazard mitigation plan was needed, Alex was the one that people turned to.  If a transportation issue needed someone to give it some focus, Alex was on top of many lists as the person to call.  Saugerties came to rely on him for his expertise, advice and insights.

And finally, many who knew Alex found him to be an affable and easy conversationalist, often in discussions at local pubs, restaurants or bars. 

Whether it was close professional relationships or casual, conversational relationships, we will certainly miss his good words and his thoughtful and sometimes sly way of delivering those words.  Alex’s legacy of kindness, wisdom, and subtle humor will continue to inspire and guide us.  As we bid farewell, we carry forward the best of what he shared with us in our hearts and memories.

His Funeral Service will be held 12 noon on Saturday at the Seamon-Wilsey Funeral Home, Inc. Cor. of John & Lafayette Sts., Saugerties.  Friends will be received prior to the service from 11:00 am - 12 noon.  Expressions of condolence may be shared with his family at SeamonWilseyFuneralHome.com

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Alexander "Alex" L. Wade, please visit our floral store.