Alex was born on May 24, 1922 to John Classen and Tatjana Romanov in Krasnodar Russia and was raised in the Mennonite faith. He passed away peacefully on September 24, 2021 at age 99. His daughter Victoria and granddaughter Tiana were at his bedside.
A veteran of World War II, he served with the Royal Air Force 99th Squadron in the Far East initially flying Consolidated Liberators out of Dhubalia, India and later from the Cocos Islands in the Pacific. He received his Honorable Discharge in September 1945.
While attending the University of Manitoba, he met his future wife Melita Hensen. They married on August 12, 1950 and were devoted to each other for 67 years. Alex re-enlisted in the R.C.A.F. as a career officer, graduated from C.F.B. Clinton as a Telecommunications Officer and was transferred to Allied Air Forces Central Europe (A.A.F.C.E.) in Fontainebleau France. A.A.F.C.E. provided command and control for NATO air assets in the Central Region of Europe.
Returning to Canada he held staff positions in various commands and was sponsored for a Master of Science Engineering Degree in Aeronautics and Astronautics from the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor, graduating in 1960. After retiring from the Canadian Armed Forces, Alex joined the Federal Public Service as an Engineering Officer. He retired from the Public Service in 1991.
Alex was devoted to his family. Predeceased by his loving wife Melita, he is survived by his beloved daughters Victoria (Ken Iles) and Lita (Allan Behan), grandchildren Gregory (Nicki) Iles, Tiana Iles (Bill Payn), Connor and Jeffrey Behan and great-grandchildren Chase and Charlie (Charlotte) Iles.
Sincere thanks to all the staff of Forest Hill for their loving kindness and comfort. Due to attendance limits imposed by COVID guidelines, please Click Here to register to attend the livestream.
Memorial donations may be made to the Mennonite Central Committee Ontario, 203-50 Kent Avenue, Kitchener, ON N2G 3R1 www.mcccanada.ca
Digital Guestbook
Bill Cameron
Harold Pretty
So deeply sorry for your loss. Our thoughts and prayers are with you and your family at this difficult time. Sincerely, Harold, Pierrette and Family
Krysanne C Klassen
So sad to see this. I wasn't able to see cousin Alex last time I was in Ottawa but had a lovely visit with Melita. Another piece of family history gone.
Deep sympathies to family - Alex was a good friend to Helen and Don Cameron, always welcome - He was a quiet and gentle man, and his lifelong Melita was beloved for her piano playing in our home.