Col. Alexander Tupper CD

Passed away peacefully at home, surrounded by his family on Tuesday December 3, 2019 at the age of 53. The son of the late John Wellesley and Marilyn Ruth (Ledbury) Tupper, Alex is survived by his wife, the love of his life, of 31 years, Rachel Joy (Hawkes) Tupper, and his two children, Esther Lorraine Faith (Abbotsford, BC) and Justin Alexander (Halifax, NS). Cherished son of Marilyn (née Ledbury) and the late John Tupper. Dear brother to Deborah (Smudgie), Cathy, Dan (Sandra), Virginia (Calvin), Donald (Nicole), and Barbara (Aulden). He will be fondly remembered as “Alex the Great” to his nieces and nephews.

Alex will be forever loved by his wife, children, family and friends. Always looking to live each day to its fullest, Alex dedicated himself to serving God, loving his family, building his community and as an officer of  the Canadian Armed Forces for more than 35 years, where he passed away at the rank of Colonel. Born in the small town of Trenton, NS, Alex enjoyed sharing his faith, traveling the world with his wife and children, ministry with children, youth, and adults, along with fishing, hockey, guitar and everything related to dirt-biking.

As a Royal Canadian Air Force (RCAF) Communications and Electronics Engineering Officer, Colonel Tupper loved his country and was proud to serve in many capacities. He has served as the Commander of the Missile Warning Center located at Cheyenne Mountain, and later as the Commander of 19 Wing Telecommunications and Information Systems Flight. Following his tenure as the Chief-Information-Officer at NDHQ, Colonel Tupper was appointed as the Project Director of the Canadian Forces’ Joint Unmanned Aerial Vehicle Program in 2008. Colonel Tupper served as the Commanding Officer of the Canadian Force Network Operations Centre. In 2013 he was appointed the Weapon System Manager for RCAF Air Defence Systems, followed by service as the Weapon System Manager for RCAF Air Traffic Management Systems. He later deployed to Africa as part of the United Nation’s Mission in South Sudan where he served as the State Support Base Operations officer and military observer in Eastern Equatoria State. Upon returning from deployment he served as the Director of Radar and Communications Systems with the Directorate of Aerospace Equipment Program Management.

Special thanks to Drs Goodwin and Faught and the oncology team at the Ottawa Hospital for the exemplary care provided over the past several years, as well as the care provided by the Soins Palliatifs Orleans over the past several months. Drs. Plantive, Rioux, and Vincent, along with Lynn Menard, (palliative care nurse), your support and kindness to Alex during his final weeks will never be forgotten.

Friends are invited to pay respects at the Hall of Colours of the Beechwood National Memorial Centre, 280 Beechwood Ave. (east of Vanier Parkway) on Friday December 13 from 2 to 4 p.m. and 6 to 8 p.m.

Family will also receive guests on Saturday December 14th at the Lifecentre Church, 2214 Innes Road, beginning at 9 a.m. and the funeral service will follow at 10 a.m. Interment with Military Honours at the National Military Cemetery of the Canadian Forces and a reception at the Beechwood National Memorial Centre will follow.

In Memoriam donations to the Hospice Care Ottawa or the Canadian Cancer Society would be appreciated.