Whitehorse Daily Star

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A MAN OF MANY TALENTS – Monty Alford is seen in 2005, when his book The Raven and the Mountaineer was released. The long-time Yukoner – a member of the Order of Canada and renowned mountain climber, among many accomplishments – passed away recently at the age of 90.

Beloved Yukoner reached the highest peaks in Canada

The territory has lost an iconic figure with the passing of Monty Alford.

By Stephanie Waddell on August 22, 2014

The territory has lost an iconic figure with the passing of Monty Alford.

Alford, who was 90, died recently from complications arising from a fall.

Family, friends and many more throughout the Yukon who read his books or were taught wilderness survival skills from him in local schools are remembering Alford as a man who, quite literally, reached the highest peaks in Canada, and was more than willing to share his knowledge and experience with all.

A member of the Order of Canada, Alford was involved in several major expeditions in the St. Elias range, including those that marked Canada’s Centennial celebrations in 1967.

He was also involved in U.S. Senator Robert F. Kennedy’s 1965 memorial climb on the mountain named for his brother, the late president John F. Kennedy.

Alford’s 35-year career as a hydrometric surveyor for the Water Survey of Canada saw him explore some of the farthest reaches in the territory.

A long list of career highlights also spanned his lifetime. Those include spending two seasons in the Antarctic as a member of a scientific expedition from Yale University, being appointed to the Polar Commission, working as a member of the Yukon Geographical Place Names Board along with writing five books and many more articles.

And while Alford had a lengthy résumé, those close to him say that more important was his unwavering love for his family, which grew to include six children, 11 grandchildren and six great-grandchildren and his strong Christian faith.

It was at his wife Renée’s 90th birthday party that he shared just how thankful he was for her support over 63 years of marriage, his daughter Marguerite said in an interview Thursday.

As he told the family and friends gathered for the celebration, he was grateful for the sacrifices his wife had made for him, as it meant in the early years she was often home with the kids while he travelled as part of his job for the federal government.

As Marguerite noted though, his speech at the birthday party wasn’t the first time he had expressed how blessed he felt in his life.

“Everyday, he was so thankful,” she said, recalling her father as a truly happy person throughout his life.

In fact, his childhood nickname was Happy. And his favourite poem was The Character of a Happy Life by Sir Henry Wotton.

“He did love life,” Marguerite said as she recalled the many stories he shared with his family over the years.

It was a trip with a friend that first brought him to Canada. The pair worked their way across the country over a couple of years before they made their way by canoe along the Columbia River to the Gulf of Mexico.

As Marguerite remembered, he often entertained his kids with stories from those earlier adventures. The sight of two Englishmen canoeing down the river brought a lot of attention. He recalled, for example, a governor in Nebraska welcoming them to the “great navy” in the land-locked state.

“We would sit, fascinated,” Marguerite said of she and her siblings listening to her dad share his stories. Not only did he have the experiences that make for great yarns, but there was also something about the way he told those tales.

“He was one of the greatest storytellers,” Marguerite said.

While Alford had originally planned to return to England after his North America adventure, he never did move back.

“He had fallen in love with Canada,” Marguerite said, after recalling how much she loved the British accent her father never lost after more than half a century in Canada.

It wasn’t just his new home he had fallen in love with during his time in Canada and the U.S.

Over a brief 15 minute train ride a few years earlier in Europe, he had met a young woman from Paris. He wanted to improve his French, while she wanted to improve her English so they agreed to exchange letters and wrote to one another.

By the time he was at the end of what was supposed to be a trip to North America, he wrote her and asked if she would join him in Canada.

She arrived on the east coast from Paris and they were married in 1951.

His wedding gift to her? A trip – a train ticket that would take them across Canada with plans to then travel to Whitehorse in mid-February. Their first home would be in a small house along the clay cliffs.

The couple would go on to have six children, three boys and three girls. And while Alford’s work took him away from home, he found a way to make sure he had time with his kids.

As Marguerite recalled, a highlight from her and her siblings’ childhood was getting to accompany their father on his travels that took him throughout the Yukon as well as to the Northwest Territories and northern B.C.

One or sometimes two of the kids would be treated to the journey, each taking their turns and getting some individual attention – which isn’t always easy to come by in a family with six kids.

“It was such a special, incredible time,” Marguerite said as she also remembered family dinners and activities they shared.

“We went on constant hikes,” she said.

Her dad remained fit his entire life.

Up until his recent 10-day sailing voyage with one of his sons, Alford climbed what he referred to as “Coffee Pot Mountain” – about an hour-long trek on a section of Grey Mountain in Riverdale – every day.

Once at the top, he spent time praying and thinking before walking home.

“He was very fit and very disciplined,” Marguerite said.

Her brothers were part of several mountain ascents with him as well, and sailing was another major passion for him. It was at the age of 87 that he purchased his boat and sailed it from Victoria to Skagway.

Other family memories live on at the cottage Alford built on the family’s property at Pine Lake.

As Marguerite described it, it’s probably one of the most unpretentious cottages, but filled with laughter and memories for the entire family.

Family members and friends have all reflected on Alford as a gentleman who went out of his way to share his knowledge and help wherever he could.

As Marguerite said, an “old school courtesy” seemed to come naturally to him. Even in his later years, when she’d walk down a street with him, he’d quickly and quietly step to the outside so she could walk on the inside.

And that’s just one example, she said.

For any mountain climber, reaching the summit, especially on Canada’s highest peak at Mount Logan, is the most important part of any climb.

Alford, however, opted to forgo reaching the summit of Logan because he could see another in the party was showing signs of altitude sickness.

As they were preparing for the final assent, he turned to an assistant and asked if they could lead the final 180-metre (600-foot) climb so he could look after the climber who was suffering from altitude sickness.

“He was a true gentleman,” Marguerite said as she also highlighted his financial assistance to a number of charities.

Alford was also well-regarded for making sure he was prepared and organized.

As recalled by family friend Keith Halliday, who was part of a few climbs with Alford, it was his discipline and organization that made the excursions such a great experience.

Describing himself as more of a “modest climber”, Halliday said Alford was happy to show him the ropes on the climbs. While Alford was about 40 years his senior, Halliday found himself trying to keep pace with the veteran on those climbs.

What is so inspirational, Halliday noted, is that Alford accomplished so much in such a quiet way.

Two of Alford’s books – Yukon Water Doctor and Wilderness Survival Guide – should be on the book shelves in every Yukon home, Halliday suggested.

Every time you talked to Alford, you learned something new, he said, adding Alford inspired him to “set the bar higher”.

Another long-time family friend, Don Roberts, concurred.

“He was a model,” Roberts said.

The Alfords were among the first family Roberts and his wife met when they arrived in the territory in the 1960s, and it was Alford who got Roberts into cross-country skiing.

Growing up in a small farming community in the Prairies, Roberts hadn’t tried out cross-country skiing. He’d heard about its popularity after arriving in Whitehorse.

It wasn’t long after he asked Alford about it that he was soon strapped into a pair of borrowed skis and Alford was introducing him to the sport he would grow to love.

Always with projects on the go, Roberts also recalled Alford building a flat-bottomed kayak and his ongoing writing.

Not only did Alford share his knowledge in writing books, but he also kept a daily diary throughout much of his life, another example of the discipline he possessed.

“He will be missed,” Roberts said.

A memorial service for Alford is set for 2:30 p.m. Monday at Sacred Heart Parish.

Comments (9)

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Nicholas Whistler on Nov 29, 2014 at 7:58 pm

Monty stood in as my godfather in 1955, and I was planning to come out soon. I look forward to any contact with Alfords.

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David Hibbard on Sep 25, 2014 at 8:56 pm

Dear Alford family,
I met Monty briefly in 1988. He was making a solo kayak trip down the Yukon River in early September. I was leading some teenage boys from a group home in Alberta. We exchanged few words though somehow I knew he was a believer! After all these years I can still see him fading out of sight as he out paced us in his speed folding kayak. He left a remarkable impression which I have long appreciated.
Kind regards,
David Hibbard Canmore, Alberta.

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Tim Popp on Aug 31, 2014 at 8:24 pm

I was very sad to hear the news. I can remember in my teenage years visiting with Mark and his brothers at the house. He always had some home made gadget or little projects on the go. I was always intrigued by how much Mr Alford knew about everything and anything in general. One summer I built one of his kayaks he designed and almost every day he came out to see how the progress was going. It was sure a fine rig and I was very delighted to have built it. I only wished I could have seen him once more for a chat and a visit. This is what I will truly miss. My condolences to the whole family.

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Colleen Mooney on Aug 27, 2014 at 2:32 pm

Much love to Madame Alford and family from the Mooney Family.

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Colleen Mooney on Aug 27, 2014 at 2:31 pm

What a gentleman! May flights of Angels sing thee to thy rest. Much love to Madame Alford and the whole family...he lives on through all of you! I wish I could be there and hope my family in the Yukon made it to the funeral. I am going to look up his favourite poem "The Character of a Happy Life". Thanks for sharing that Marguerite.

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The Yukon, please on Aug 25, 2014 at 12:49 pm

Dear Alford family:

My condolences to you all on the passing of Mr. Alford.
He was more than happy. The joy of the LORD and the oil of gladness are his. He is born of the Spirit. He shall never die.

In the words of King David:
"Thou hast put gladness in my heart, more than in the time that their corn and their wine increased. I will both lay me down in peace, and sleep: for thou, LORD, only makest me dwell in safety."

"I laid me down and slept; I awaked; for the LORD sustained me."
"Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of the LORD for ever."

When he awakes he shall hear: "This is my beloved son, in whom I am well pleased."
Jesus, the Christ, the King, our Saviour lives, and so does Mr. Alford.

Sincerely,
Another Yukoner

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Deryn Blackmon on Aug 25, 2014 at 12:46 pm

One of the first families I remember meeting when my family (father Craig Parry Hughes and mother, Nancy) moved to the Yukon in 1962, was the Alfords. Monty and Renee were such good friends to them, and in later years were always so thoughtful in sending cards and letters to my father, long after he grew unable to answer them. Those cheerful notes from 'home' (the Yukon) meant so much to him. And I remember the Centennial climb, which never would have come to fruition without Monty's avid participation. My thoughts and prayers go out to the whole Alford family at this sad time. A great man has gone but his spirit lingers on - a tangible part of the hearts of everyone who knew him, including me.

with love and sincerest condolences,
Deryn (Hughes) Blackmon

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Njootli on Aug 25, 2014 at 8:32 am

Monty was a man of many talants.. He was a member of Yukon Geographical Place Names Board. I had the honor to work with him, and shared many great stories of his great adventures..

my warmest condolences to your famliy.

Njootli Family

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art pearson on Aug 23, 2014 at 12:23 pm

Renee and Alford family, I am so sorry to hear of Monte's passing. He was a great guy and has such a loving family that I'm sure will miss him dearly but, luckily, will have so many great memories of his love, deeds, and tales. My sincerest condolences to you all. He will be missed by many Yukoners, me included. Love, Art.

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