Obituary of Alexander C. Black

Alexander C. "Alex" Black February 2, 2014 Alexander C. "Alex" Black, 73, formerly of Syracuse, died on Sunday, February 2, 2014 at his home in Douglas, Arizona. He was stationed in Germany with the US Army in 1966 and served as a Hawk Missile Battery Technician. Following his military service, Alex became a fire fighter with the Dewitt Fire Department. He was promoted to Lieutenant in 1974 and retired in 1988. He was a paid fire fighter with the Dewitt Fire Department, and also the Syracuse Airport Fire Department. He was a lifelong buff of the Syracuse Fire Department. Alex was also an accomplished fire photographer covering major fires in Syracuse and Onondaga County. His photos were selected for several covers for "Fire Engineering Magazine". He was a founding member of S.P.A.A.M.F.A.A. (Society for the Preservation and Appreciation of Antique Motor Fire Apparatus of America). He wrote "The Tool Box" column for SPAAMFAA. and received the Robinson Award from SPAAMFAA in 1981. Alex was an avid collector. He loved antique cars, fire apparatus, Pin Ball machines, and farm tractors. As a self taught machinist, he would restore many collectibles including old gasoline pumps and fire apparatus. He owned a 1929 Ahrens-Fox Model M.S.4 that he had purchased from Lynn, MA. For ten years he photographed the Miss New York State and Miss America Pageants. He was also a past member of the Miss New York State Scholarship Board of Directors. He was also a Civil War historian. Alex was a favorite son of Queen Elizabeth of England. He would write to her and send her birthday cards; and often, he would receive replies. He was pre-deceased by his parents Alexander and Vivian Black. He requested no services, and to be cremated in Douglas, AZ..