CORNWALL—Alex North of Great Hill Road in Cornwall slipped away from his physical form on Jan. 8, 2026.
Alex was a wonderful man who lived his life with a tenacious spirit and a full heart. He was always willing to lend a hand to people in need and developed supportive relationships with several elders in the area whom he regularly helped with tasks that they could no longer perform on their own.
A life-long learner, he developed a love of farming and machinery at an early age. He showed his studiousness and physical skills and achieved his Tang Soo Do Blackbelt degree. Though he was challenged from birth with a rare condition, he lived life to its fullest and embraced every challenge. An exceptional skier, he was a bit of a daredevil and pushed himself to the limit for the exhilaration. Everything he would attempt to do he would give it his all.
With the unwavering support of his devoted parents, he defied expectations time and time again. He spent countless hours working alongside his father, Mark, often helping him on emergency calls to Kent School.
Alex enjoyed working with his dad on their shared collection of antique cars and machinery. As a result, he developed a mechanical talent that few could match. Together they brought old machines back to life—restoring a ’67 Chevy truck, reviving a 1929 Studebaker “Doodle Bug,” which he often displayed at the Connecticut Antique Machinery’s Festivals where he was a lifetime member for all his work staffing the events.
He kept his John Deere Gator running through all kinds of weather to care for the Gracey Family’s herd of cows in Coltsfoot Valley. His greatest passion, though, was operating heavy equipment. He took pride in restoring a ’49 Ford 8N tractor, which he used for mowing and brush hogging the family’s North Kent pasture, and the maintenance of his Kubota backhoe which he relied on for landscaping work both in town and the surrounding areas.
Alex was a dedicated farmer who cared deeply for all animals. He raised several cows of his own in addition to lending a hand to many farmers in town. He bottle-fed his beloved “Little Man,” and nursed him back to health after a broken leg as a calf. Little Man grew into a 2,000‑pound “Ferdinand,” a testament to Alex’s patience and compassion.
He apprenticed with some of Cornwall’s finest: Debra Tyler, Chris Hopkins, Jonathan Kirschner, Dan Gracey and Ken Gladding. He loved lending a hand during the haying season, an intense time of hot weather and hard work. Another testament to his strength and work ethic.
He had strong bonds with many of the young local farming talent including Jed and Angus of the Gracey family, Tommy Eucalitto, Patrick Beal and Jon Old —friends who shared his love of reviving the once thriving agricultural community in Cornwall. Together they built a tight-knit support system, one that meant the world to Alex. Despite the challenges he faced, he lived a rich and meaningful life surrounded by people who admired his strength, humor, and determination.
As he aged, Alex’s life was fraught with medical procedures and interventions. His health presented constant obstacles, yet he faced every one of them with remarkable courage, incredible tenacity and the best attitude he could muster.
Alex is survived by his loving parents, Mark and Alicia, his brother, Ben and his wife Molly, his Uncle Chris and Aunt Lynn Harrington, cousins Colby and Chase; his Aunt Jen and Uncle Mike Sherman, cousins Kora, Marlie and Kassandra, as well as his grandparents Skip and Susan North, Dianne Conboy and the rest of his ever-expanding clan across the globe that will miss him beyond measure.
He was a gift to his family and to the entire community with his can-do spirit and friendly nature traits that we need in this world now more than ever!