Alex Hay

Hay, Alex

Alex Hay, age 56, of Ottawa, died in early June on a kayaking trip in Sleeping Giant Provincial Park. Alex will be sorely missed and lovingly remembered by his family, Yasmina, Madelaine, Desmond, and Zachary; his mother, Joan, his sister Lyndal, and brothers Sheridan (Claudia) and Justin; his children’s mother, Lillian; stepbrothers, nieces and nephews, cousins, many dear friends, colleagues, and students.  

Alex was born in Pretoria, South Africa, in 1965. After earning his Master’s degree in History and his B.Ed., Alex began his teaching career in Ottawa at age 22. As a teacher and international volunteer he worked in Botswana, Swaziland, and Nepal and just this past year in the Mishkeegogamang First Nation. Alex spent the best part of his career at the Adult High School in Ottawa; he took pride in supporting refugees, immigrants, and adults returning to the world of learning. 

He loved reading, cycling, playing guitar and singing, walking in the forest, playing scrabble and board games, canoeing, chocolate, taking naps in the hammock, and above all, spending time with his family.  

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations can be made to Ottawa Centre Refugee Action (OCRA), Ecology Ottawa, Medecins Sans Frontières, and the Heart and Stroke Foundation of Canada. 

The memorial service will be livestreamed. Please note, due to connectivity issues, there may be a delay.