On Saturday, May 2, 2020, Wayne Joseph Alexander of 282 Terrace North Apt #1 died peacefully in his sleep at the age of 67. He was welcomed into the world by his parents Anne (Gentsy) and Stanley Alexander at Jameson Hospital on January 20, 1953. Wayne grew up on the Southside of New Castle and had fond memories of his childhood friends, playing baseball, and his time as a student at New Castle High School (’70). His mother taught him how to cook, and his friends and family craved his Italian spaghetti sauce. He attended California State University of Pennsylvania on a baseball scholarship, where he earned a Bachelor of Science in Education and was a member of the Tau Kappa Epsilon fraternity. He was known as “Mr. GQ” and “Pretty Boy Floyd” for taste in fine clothing.
For 28 years, Wayne worked at the former YDC juvenile correctional facility in Shenango Township. Wayne truly loved the children under his care and treated them as his own. He had a soft spot for the most troubled kids from broken homes. Under the facility’s 4-hour leave policy, he would bring the kids to his parent’s home so they could experience a home-cooked dinner and spend some quality time with his family.
In 1986, his son Jonathan was born. He described fatherhood as “the greatest gift God ever gave me.” After work every Friday, he would drive to Pittsburgh and back so he and his son could spend the weekend together. Wayne cherished these car rides and the one-on-one time with his son.
In 2003, as a political novice, he was elected Mayor of New Castle with a party registration disadvantage of 3:1. During his four-year stewardship, his prime mission was to improve the lives of children, families, and citizens of the city he loved.
In addition to his career, Wayne taught Sunday School at Saint Phillip and James Parish. He served on the boards of the following Lawrence County non-profits: Lark Enterprises, Cray Family Foundation, Lawrence County Historical Society, Lawrence County Visiting Nurses Association (board president), Lawrence County Association for Responsible Care (LCARC), formerly P.A.R.C, and 45 years serving the United Way of Lawrence County (3 terms as Board President). He was also Assistant Treasurer of the United Way of Pennsylvania. During his time as President of the Lawrence County Family Center, he developed an innovative partnership between the Family Center, United Way, and six local banks to make homeownership available to deserving moderate and low-income families. Throughout the project’s duration, the housing partnership was able to rehabilitate over 15 existing homes and build eight newly constructed houses. Perhaps his proudest accomplishment was his role in leading the team that created the Lawrence County affiliate of the Caring Foundation in 1988, which provided health care access to uninsured children before the CHIP program was established.
The family asks for memorial contributions to be made to the United Way of Lawrence County.
Wayne was a Mason and a former paramedic. He loved animals. He enjoyed cooking, reading, Hallmark movies, and praying the Rosary.
Wayne is survived by his son, Jonathan Alexander of Pittsburgh; brother, Ronald J. (Theresa) Alexander of New Castle; sister, Barbara (Tom) Wildauer of New Castle; and three nieces, Anne Floros, Kristi Miller, and Tracy Yeropli all of New Castle.
In addition to his parents, Wayne was preceded in death by his nephew, Ronald Alexander.
A Mass of Christian burial will be held later this week. He will be Entombment at Castleview Memorial Gardens. The arrangements were entrusted to the Noga Funeral Home, Inc.
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