Alec B. Dawson, O.B.E.,74 , of Westport, passed away peacefully, surrounded by his family on Sunday, July 29, 2012. He was the husband of Nancy M. (Morton) Dawson.
Born in San Mateo, CA, Mr. Dawson was the son of the late Lawrence G. and Alta S. (Stewart) Dawson. He was a Harvard graduate – Class of 1959. He joined the Veeder-Root Company in Hartford, CT in 1965 and transferred to Scotland in 1970. He became managing director of Veeder-Root’s European Operation in 1972 and by 1978 he was the Vice President of International Operations. In 1988, Mr. Dawson was made an Officer of the British Empire for his services to Scottish Industry. Upon his return to the United States, Mr. Dawson purchased Central Tools, Inc. in Cranston, RI which he owned and operated until his death. Mr. Dawson was active in the Providence Chamber of Commerce and SBANE. He was a member of the Acoaxet Club, Elephant Rock Beach Club and Westport Investment Novices (WIN).
An avid golfer, art collector and lifelong patron of the arts, he was involved with the Steel Yard Arts Organization. He was a past President of the Dundee Chamber of Commerce and a Hammerman (one of the 9 Trade Guilds of Dundee).
Survivors besides his wife Nancy include: 2 sons: Bruce S. Dawson of Westport and David A. Dawson of FL; 1 daughter: Anne M. Brown of Westport; 3 sisters: Shirley A. Smith, Mira J. Graves and Marcea Heath, all of CA; 5 grandchildren: Sarah J. Dawson, James D. Dawson, Jarrett B. Brown, Nathaniel S. Brown and J.E.B. Brown and numerous nieces and nephews.
Mr. Dawson was the brother of the late Stewart and Dean Dawson.
Funeral to which relatives and friends are invited will be Friday, August 3, 2012 at the Potter Funeral Home at 11:00 A.M.
Calling hours will be Thursday from 5-8 P.M.
Interment will be private and at the convenience of the family.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the Westport Free Public Library, 408 Old County Rd., Westport, MA 01790 or to The Steel Yard, 27 Sims Ave., Providence, RI 02909.