Alex Sweeney (Papa) was in every sense of the word a “gentleman”.
He was incredibly gentle and even tempered by nature.
He was also a true man displaying courage and conviction all of his life. In his last two years in particular, he faced up to one devastating illness after another without a moan or a complaint. His only comment was “I am fine”.
He was not a big man in physical stature but he had the biggest heart imaginable displaying at all times great fortitude and also tremendous generosity of spirit.
We want to share our celebration of his life with you.
Papa was born in Longbranch, Toronto on 8 October 1928
He was the oldest son to Alex senior and Agnes (Cochrane) and, shortly after, was joined, by two bothers Vincent and then Gordon.
In 1938, the family came back to Glasgow, the original birthplace of Alex senior and Agnes. Alex senior had been seriously injured fighting in the First World War when he was attached to the Seaforth Highlanders. Subsequently, the severe cold climate in Canada and the onset of extensive unemployment made it difficult to stay on top of Alex senior’s condition and pay the substantial medical bills.
When the family was on board the liner Athenia, that was bringing them back to the UK, they received a telegram informing them that Agnes’ mother, their only surviving parent, had died of a heart attack whilst preparing the family home for their arrival.
All in all, their transition from an idyllic ranch style house in Lilac Avenue, Longbranch, where the children ice-skated in the streets, to a tenement flat, above Tennent’s bar at Gorbals Cross Glasgow, could have been better but worse was to come.
Within a very short time of arriving back in Glasgow, World War 2 broke out and notice was given to evacuate the boys to Rothesay for their safety. Their parents took them down to the station, put them on the train along with their gas masks and a few belongings. However, a few minutes before the train pulled out, Agnes, overcome by the thought of parting, pulled them off the train and took them home.
Alex senior died at a young age as a direct consequence of his war injuries. Agnes was left to raise the boys on her own; she did an outstanding job of this and died at the age of 88 in 1991.
At the age of 18, Alex was called up to serve his country and spent several years in the RAF where he gained his first experience with electrical technology.
On 4 January 1952, Alex married Dorothy Davidson and they were blessed with a very successful marriage and 5 children Andrew, Christopher, Claire, Dorothy Anne and Anthony. Unfortunately blows were to follow when Dorothy passed away at the age of 53 in 1983 and Christopher passed away at the age of 37 in 1995 but the family enjoyed many happy times. After a brief spell at Mamore Street in Maryhill, lifelong bonds were made with their neighbours in and around 85 Batson Street, Govanhill. In the late 1960’s the family moved a short distance to 24 Dixon Road in Crosshill and Alex stayed there till 1988.
In November 1988, Alex married Bess Carroll, who had been tragically widowed at the age of 48, and Bess’ three sons John, Charles and Vincent immediately became part of his family.
By the time of Alex’s death, 10 grandchildren and 1 great granddaughter had been added to the family
On the career front, Alex was, for most of his working life, a leading electrician with the Paisley firm Joseph Bell and company. The firm had a great reputation particularly for high quality electrical installations for the new homes being constructed by the prestigious builder Mactaggart Meikle.
Alex was an extremely industrious professional and took a lot of pride in his work.
Perhaps just as importantly, Joe Bell, and then his nephew Jackson Bell, were well ahead of their time in employee relations and treated staff like an extended family. It was extremely rare for anyone to leave unless retiring after 30 years plus service. Indeed, even after these retirals, Jackson organised Christmas reunions. The “old sparks” also continued to meet up every few months for a drink and a blether - probably in their own humorous way re-enacting sketches from the comedy Still Game.
Alex found himself on a regular basis working in partnership with his brother Gordon who had achieved a senior position with Mactaggart Meikle. Gordon’s twin sons, Gordon and Jim, also worked for Mactaggart Meikle at that time. The quartet was affectionately dubbed “The Sweeney Mafia” by their co-workers.
Alex possessed an extremely agile brain, particularly with numbers, and had an excellent grasp of current affairs.
He had an encyclopaedic knowledge of sport and was very accomplished in several. He excelled at snooker in particular and, if truth be known, he could still, with great ease, hustle victories out of his sons when he was 80.
However, Alex was happiest of all in the home environment surrounded by his family, his newspapers and a bowl of homemade soup.
He and Bess were able to help each other to remain strong and recover from any of life’s hard knocks. In later life they managed to travel widely and had many happy memories of holidays all around the world. If they couldn’t go to Spain or USA, they would jump on the first bus that passed and study Glasgow, Ayr, Loch Lomond. You name it, they went there! His catchphrase on returning whether a good or bad trip was always “Another fun day!”
They were known at various functions, such as the weddings of granddaughter Karen in 2007 and of granddaughter Dorothy Jane in 2009, to show off their flair for ballroom dancing.
Alex was a very sensitive and emotional man although he did try to mask this with dry wit. He did not try to articulate this sensitivity in the academic prose of the famous poets but more by embracing the sentiments in the lyrics of his two favourite songs – “April Showers” by Al Jolson and “A Wonderful World” by Louis Armstrong. Neither song is likely to appear anytime soon on the “X Factor” talent show but they express a much nicer outlook on life than a gangsta rap.
Alex had a refreshingly uncomplicated philosophy of life
He accepted God’s will without question or complaint and turned his beliefs into love and compassion for others.
He knew that you can’t share without giving and he, Dorothy and Bess spent their whole life giving of themselves particularly by supporting their family and friends endlessly, unconditionally and without judgment.
He was always gave his best at whatever he did, particularly his profession.
Common sense has been described as genius in its working clothes, well papa was a genius to the family and, right up to the day of his death, he was the first port of call for advice.
Alex would be embarrassed at the attention he has been given but there is no doubt he deserves it.
Unfortunately Alex was, on 2 October 2009, diagnosed with pancreatic cancer. He accepted this stoically but his condition did deteriorate quite rapidly. On 15 December 2009, Alex was admitted to the Prince and Princess of Wales Hospice and passed away peacefully on 17 December 2009. Special thanks are due to all the medical staff who attended Alex during illness particularly to family doctor Alan Robertson and to Pamela Rose and Linda Cairns of the Hospice who gave him and the family great comfort. Thanks also to Myra Grant and team for all their help.
The family regard it as an enormous blessing from God and an honour to have loved and been loved by a man of such great humility and integrity and are so grateful for all the support they have received in this challenging time.
Always in our thoughts.