Nicolas Alexander 
Obituary

Alexander, Nicolas 87 July 06, 1926 Oct. 28, 2013 Nicolas Alexander, known to most as Nick, was born as Mikolaj Woronowicz on July 6, 1926, in Ziemianie, Dizna, Poland. Nick died Oct. 28, 2013, in Happy Valley, one day after his 62nd wedding anniversary to his loving wife and soulmate, Pauline, and one day before the 60th anniversary of his emigration to America.

 Nick Alexander pursued and embraced the American dream. Born to landed aristocracy in Eastern Poland, Nick's life changed when the Nazis occupied Poland in 1939. As a runner for the Polish underground, Nick was caught by the Germans in 1944 and sent to Dachau concentration camp, where he was imprisoned for 18 months. When the camp was liberated, he was sent to a displaced persons camp and then to England. It was in England that he met Pauline Dowding, the love of his life. His proposal was: "marry me, and come to America." Two years later, Nick and Pauline emigrated to Gresham, to set up their new life in the States. In 1958, 

Nick and Pauline welcomed into the world their daughter, Nicola (Nikki). Nick began working, sweeping floors for a cabinet-making shop, and for the next 18 years, he worked his way up through every position in the business. In 1971, Nick launched his own company, Alexander Manufacturing, focusing on architectural millwork for restaurants, hotels and casinos across the country. 

He was a notable member of the Portland and Gresham communities during the 1980s and 1990s, and was involved with many organizations in Portland, including St. Stanislaus Polish Catholic Church in North Portland and the Chaine de Rotisserie. 

He was an ardent supporter of education in the Gresham area, and through The Alexander Family Foundation, he awarded college scholarships for graduating students at Barlow High School in the early 1980s. 

Nick loved to travel with his wife and was blessed to be able to travel to many different countries around the world. He could often be found in his garden on his two-acre Clackamas home, knee-deep in mud. Nick also had a love for skiing and boating. But above all, Nick's passion was food and wine. He had an extensive wine cellar, with over 3,500 bottles of wine at its peak. He helped establish the Portland chapter of the Chaine de Rotisserie to celebrate his love of gourmet food and became one of the Chaine's national leaders. 

Nick is survived by his wife, Pauline Alexander; daughter, Nicola Alexander Klutho; son-in-law, William Klutho; and granddaughters, Adrienne Klutho and Anna Klutho. A celebration of life will be held at 10:30 a.m. Monday, Nov. 4, 2013, at Holy Family Catholic Church, S.E. Cesar Chavez Boulevard and S.E. Flavel Street. Reception to follow. The family is grateful for the four years of loving care and support received from the staff at Town Center Village. Remembrances may be made to the Nicolas Alexander Scholarship Fund at De La Salle North Catholic High School, 7528 N. Fenwick Ave., Portland, OR 97217. 

Published in The Oregonian on Nov. 3, 2013