This iris bloomed on April 5th....for you Alex.  My first bloom of the spring, one of the many things in south Fla. that I so wanted to show you.  

The only iris that blooms in Fla. IF you have luck, and love on your side. Well I have the gardening luck, You must be sending the love part.  Thank you Alex.

Only one year? It sems like 10. I still haven't figured out a way to have you walk with me,instead of being depressed every day and night. But I know you were watching me yesterday, and probably everyone else as well, trying to keep me 'up'. I know you made YOUR gardenia tree bloom yesterday, when there were no buds on it the night before, very cool Alex !

I sit outside on some nights and enjoy the fragrances of all the troical plants I have here, planted in your honor, like you did in your garden. Your gardenia will add to the night air big time! And live for over 50 years. Hey, thats a pretty long time...not to bad:)

I'll see you in person long before it grows to full size. And think of you with every bloom that opens. i hope you like it. You are still my best friend, and will always be in my heart and my soul. Today your letting me 'be a mess'! Thank you. So I can be all down and a mess, to remember you. Hey, you know thats me. I cry for the ones I miss. But thank you for yesterday. I know it was you making me laugh out loud for the first time in a year, you really are a sweet pest Alex!  I get the point, ok? I will learn how to celabrate your life, not mourn your passing. It took me years to learn to do that for my mom, gram, and now I have to learn how to do it for you.

Have patience Alex, I will learn it. You have to remember Alex...'I Was Born This Way'...a song you would have liked for its words and truths. I was born a person that misses his friends,family, intensely when they leave.  You are missed intensely, by me. Well, time to go and 'be a mess' for the day, then grow with your help.             All My Love,  Stan

Well you would have been the big 60 today Alex.  I hope you are seeing the huge tropical plant and its giant flowers that it is putting out for YOU, months later than it has ever bloomed. Right ON your birthday!  I think you had something to do with that!  I am growing it here, in your memory, since it wont be by your Koi pond this spring, like we had planned. I'll keep it growing here and remember you evertime it blooms.  Hope you see it Big Bear!

Love,  Stan

The first time I met Alex was at Mary and Steve's wedding (my sister, his brother).  We were in the bridal party and walked down the aisle together.  They must have thought we did a good job because they paired us together again as godparents to their first son, Justin.  We always had fun together at family events like weddings, the kids' birthdays, but especially Thanksgiving Days at Mary and Steve's.  Alex and Larry always brought appetizers that were so delicious, we were full before the main course (almost....we did force ourselves to eat more!)  And he always made sure my wine glass was never empty.  Alex, you will always be in our hearts and prayers.  Love, Peggy

We had so many great times throughout the almost thirty years I had the honor to call Alex my friend. I met Alex when he came to San Francisco for a work conference in the early eighties and we became lifelong friends. I will remember my many trips to Baltimore where he opened up his home and was happy to show me around the city we both loved. I grew up an Orioles and Colts fan and Alex and I would always talk about how they were doing. I remember how Alex got us tickets from his brother to see the Ravens at Memorial Stadium shortly after they had arrived in Baltimore. He knew how much it meant to me to see the new team. We would talk about twice a month usually on Sundays and it was time when two good friends would share whatever was on their minds and inquire on how the other was doing. Alex, was always there for me during the good and bad times and would always offer me words of encouragement that only a true friend means. I always looked forward to those calls and will find it very difficult not to be able to pick up the phone and say hello Alex.

I remember being surprised to see Alex and Larry at my 50th Birthday party. They had made the effort to fly across the country to be with me and my friends. It will always mean a lot to me. I have the memories of my dear friend and when I think of Alex I will always see that big wonderful smile and remember his gentle soul. Alex was truly one of kind and the world is a better place for him having lived in it. Let us all take a little of Alex's spirit with us everyday.

Larry, my heart goes out to you but I know that you and Alex loved each other and that is something you will always have close to you.

I love you Alex and I will never forget you. Gary

As you know Uncle Alex loved the weather and was always fascinated by storms.  Well, back when I was 10 or 12, I spent the night at his (and my Uncle Jim's) house when he lived off of Coldspring.  Some time after dinner we got to talking about the weather and he showed me how he would watch the storms.  He claimed to have the best "seat" in the house.  Much to my surprise, it wasn't a seat at all.  The townhouse was three levels, he went to the third level, climbed on the banister (which by the way, you could look down to the first level) and stood looking out the window only holding on to the ceiling!  I am fearful of heights and was so nervous that he was going to fall!  

This is just one of many stories that I will cherish.  He always made me laugh and LOVED talking with him and Larry.  I enjoyed when we would get together.  I will miss you deeply and love you so very much! 

Gwen xoxo

I think the last time I saw Alex was when he and Larry were surprise guests at our mutual friend's (Gary's) 50th birthday in 2002.  Coming cross country for our party meant a lot to Gary and to the rest of his California friends.  We spent a hilarious weekend in Dillon Beach.  (I added some pictures.)  Hard to remember all that went on as the memory fades and we may have had some alcohol - it was near the holidays after all.  But I do recall making kites late one night and running around the beach with them the next day, getting them all tangled. 

Alex was one of a kind.  He'll be missed immensely. - Karen Schwinn

Alex was our Train Buddy - there are several of us and we are Dave, Bill, Russell, Bob, Karen, Peter, Kathy, Denise and Debbie.  We rode together for so many years to and from DC and always took care of each other.  Alex was one of the most amusing, passionate and informative man I ever met.  He made us laugh and held our attention with his most recent emails to Amtrack's headquarters with their latest screw-up.  There is a very funny story about Alex's x-ray, but I will let Dave tell that story.  We missed him when he retired and we are missing him more now that he is gone.  Alex is out of his pain and now it is our pain to carry.  Peace, Alex -- our paths will cross again.

                                     Your Train Buddy, Debbie

This is a very funny memory.  Uncle Al used to take me everywhere when I was a kid.  There is one trip I will never forget.  Uncle Al wanted to take me to see Santa and of course my mom your more than welcome to.  Instead of our normal trips to see Santa at white marsh mall, Uncle Al decided to take me downtown to the inner harbor to see Santa.  I remember him telling me you have got to see Santa's house.  His house is all lit up with white lights.  So we made our way downtown, we were walking across the inner harbor and sure enough Santa's house stood out in bright white lights.  So we walked over and the line was extremely long and Uncle Al said lets get in line and it won't take long.  So we are standing there waiting in line and of course me being a kid, I got bored.  I for some reason thought it would be a good idea to try and unscrew one of the light bulbs on Santa's house, sure enough as soon as I unscrew the bulb and took it off Santa's house, the who side of Santa's house went completely dark.  Uncle Al hurried up and grabbed the bulb from me and quickly screwed it back in but guess what the lights did not come back on.  Uncle Al than picked me up and said I think it would be a good idea for us to go visit Santa somewhere else, and off we went.  Uncle Al you were such a great man.  I learned so much from you and I think alot of who I am today is because of you.  I will miss our talks and laugh and most of all I will miss that my son doesn't get to grow up with his Uncle Alex.  I know you could have taught him so much but I will take everything you taught me and teach all of that knowledge to him.  I'm so happy you got to see him walk and play with him atleast a couple times.  I will share stories with him of his Great Uncle Alex and he will know all the wonderful things you ever did.  Even though you are gone you will never be forgotten.  Your spirit and love will live on in all of us, especially in my son Alex.  I miss you so much already and I love you so much.  I know you are in a better place now.  Say hi to Poppy for us.

Love,

Jason

Baby Alex loves to give hi-fives and Uncle Al was his hi-five pal that day.  Baby Alex loved playing with his Great Uncle Alex and I know that he would have learned so much from him growing up.  I hope that some of Uncle Al's knowledge was written down in a journal so that it can be shared with all who didn't have a chance to grow up with him as their mentor like others.  We love you and miss you terribly Uncle Al.

Memories of Childhood

With so many memories about our lives together, it's difficult to pick just one to write about.  But one event that always made us laugh was what happened on my grandparents' farm in Pennsylvania.  We, Alex, Steve, and I loved playing in the barn.  It was always an adventure to go into the hayloft and make forts with the bales of hay, however, our grandparents and mother hated it when we went into the barn to play because of all the holes in the barn floor above the stalls.  Mom was afraid that we'd fall through and break an arm, leg, or worse.  Knowing that if we went into the barn she'd chase us out, we decided to set some traps.  Alex and I decided to spread loose straw over the bigger holes so that if Mom chased us, she'd fall through and we'd get away (this is the stuff you think about when you're young). You guessed it, my mother chased us through the barn, but she wasn't the one who fell through.  Steve, our younger brother, hit one of the straw covered holes, disappeared, and landed next to the farm's bull.  He moved faster than any kid should have been able to.  He crawled out from the stall covered with mud and straw.  You had to be there to really see how funny it was.

Whenever we got together over the years, we'd talk about the barn, Bermuda, Michigan, California, whitewater rafting, and others and laugh until we'd cry about our adventures.

Thanks for all the memories, Al.  I'll always keep them close to my heart.

Until we meet again.

Love you forever,

Frank

Memories like these keep coming back as I think about Alex

Alex always wanted me to appreciate the finer things in life.We went to a classical music concert (I fell asleep). He tried to introduce me to fine wines (Bring on the white Zinfandel) and gourmet dining (Big plate, little food)

He was always there for me and the boys. The one time I actually did something for him ( a little gardening) he was so appreciative I felt guilty.

We will always set a plate for you at Thanksgiving.

Love,

Mary

I miss my brother Alex so much.  He was always there for me whenever I needed him. God blessed me when he gave Alex to me - no one could have a better brother.  He always told me stories about taking care of me when I was little.  He said Mom always stuck him with me and he had to change my stinky diapers. The sky will be brighter with one more star. He is up there with God and my Dad looking down upon us all. I love you very much and will miss you until we meet again. 

I have to think of it this way, God took him from us so he did not have to suffer anymore here on earth.

Love, Jannis

My brother in-law who I have known for 19 years,and in memory many many more. My heart goes out to him and Larry who will always be in our family.We shared some good times together, like last year when Alex and Larry went with us to baby Alex's christening. We had a long 5 plus hour ride up to Long Island to the hotel.We all got out of the car a little achy and Alex could hardly walk into the hotel. He said that he thought he would not make it. But after a good martini which we all had he felt much better.We were sitting around reminissing about the good old times. He could definetely make you laugh and had a talent to make you relax. And I have to say he was the only person I knew with a great history knowledge. You could ask him anything...he knew the answer.

Again our heart goes out to you Larry, see you soon.  Love you, John

Just let me start by saying to Larry and Alexs entire family and extended family, that I am VERY proud to be a part of....I am so sorry we have lost this incredible man, and it isnt fair, it isnt right, and it plain stinks!   But if anyone neds any help with something that I might be able to help you do, or anything, you just send me an email, and let me know.  All my sympathy and love goes out to all of you.

Now,....Alex, ...THE man that showed me that the enitre world is not full of only selfish,cold, cruel, and roten people.  Yes, that WAS my view of the world...until I was lucky enough to meet Alex Wolfe!   This man, who I met in the giant world of 'cyberspace' one day, who just said, 'Hi' to a this passing stranger online one day, and changed my life forever.   Alex tried his best to change this pessimist, into an optimist, and almost did it. Not an easy task:)  That old song by Petula Clarke keeps coming to mind....'how do you thank someone that has taken you from crayons to perfume...' in the 7-8 years I knew Alex, he took me from....well it wasnt 'crayons and perfume'....more like from 'mistrust to trust'.  Pretty good!

My biggest wish in life, was to finally come up to meet Alex in person, and of course Larry and everyone else...but at least Alex!   I never got that privilege. And to invite him and Larry down to Fort Lauderdale to have a nice relaxing vacation, and enjoy the sun and go home all brown and relaxed after so many operations.  AND to send up to him, all the tropical plants that I am growing for him right now, that he was looking forward to putting into his garden this spring.

The garden that he loved so much and told me about in great detail...how he was looking forward to spring, to get out there and plant up the new garden and add all my exotic tropical plants to it, and see what beauty they would have brought to his garden.  Thn he and Larry could sit back at niht, outside, on the deck and enjoy the night blooming plants and their heavy perfumes in the air.  Then have everyone over for a cookout and see the beauty he created with my small gifts to him.   Even with those darn deer that kept eating it!   Hopefully now he is smelling the most exotic blooms of the world.

I feel like I know most of Alexs' family, and he 'knew'  of most of mine, poor Alex:)   Not exactly an even trade of stories.  How do I express how much I wish his mother and brothers and nephews, and everone that called him, 'Uncle Al', even IF not related by blood, but by love, that I am sending all of you all the prayers and warmest hugs I possibly can over this cyberworld we have created.  He was always so happy when he spoke of  all of you.  He was so very happy and proud to have a new member named after him.   He just burst out he got that news!

For me..just hearing his voice made me feel calm, feel better, feel comforted. I am thanking my lucky stars that I 'forced' him to call and talk on the phone this past Sunday, I needed just to hear his voice, of course thining it would only be a few weeks before I heard it again. I will miss Alex so much, I don't know how to cope, but I will try to practice what Alex preached to me:)

This great grief we are all going to be carrying is not fair, it is not right, it is WAY to soon to have to experience.  But Alex would smack us all if we didnt help each other, support each other, and then learn to eventually let our grief walk WITH us, not walk all OVER us.  He taught me that.  

Alex and I had one big thing in common, bears!  Especially Winnie The Pooh. Once I found that out, I sent him Christmas ornaments of Winnie for his tree, and I do hope Larry will display them, to remember Alexs love of bears.  And that will explain why I am posting a picture of a crystal Winnie The Pooh with this story, ( incase anyone wondered.)    Alex saw it online just last week, and loved it, so that is why Winnie is on here, watching over my friend, "The Russian Bear":).

I never thought anything could/would stop THAT Russian Bear.  My favorite nickname for Alex.  So big, strong, yet kind and gentle. Strong willed and opinionated for sure, but with a huge kind and giving soul.  He actually saved my life 3 times, through his acts of kindness, his positive attitude, and his ability to talk sense into someone with a thick head!  He would never take credit for it, but he did save my life 3 times.  How I wish I could save his just once.  I would trade places with Alex in a flash ,no questions asked.!!

Alex, I hope your family dosen't mind what I am about to say, it is meant with all sincerity.  I loved you and will always love you. You were/are one of THE good people in this world, and I had the true HONOR to know you, I hope you know through our  talks and letters, that I told you enough times, how much I appreciated all your help, and kindness, and sillyness over the past years.  And when I heard you were getting married, I was so happy for you and Larry., frankly I thought it was time!  Should have done it long long ago.

How i will get through this difficult time to come, without you to call and ask for your help, I don't know.  But you at least gave me some tools to deal with things like this, and I will NEVER  EVER forget our last talk, to hear your voice the last time, and hear your light and cheerful laugh.  Boy you were/are a nut!

Thank you Jason for doing this for your uncle. He spoke very highly of you many times.  He would be proud of you for doing this. I hope I have not babbled to much, I tended to do that.  Alex couldnt break me of this one bad habit.

I wish Larry and Alexs mom and family all my deepest sympathy, and while it may sound very trite, time will heal our wound, of loosing Alex.  He taught me that, I never thought I would let my grief, for the loss of my mother, just 7 years ago today, ever 'walk with me'...I thought it would trample me forever. But with time and thought and a great friend like Alex, I can now think of all the good times with my mom, not just the one horrible day that I lost her.     Thanks to Alex.  If anyone needs me to do anything for them, just let me know.

I will miss you for the rest of my life Alex Wolfe.  love,  Stan

 Alex & I were BFF @ EPA.  

When I started in Intergovernmental, Alex's office & mine shared the 8th Floor West Tower.  I saw Alex that first day in the elevator lobby & immediately said to myself, "I have got to get to know that Man!"  

I did & we started working together on EPA's Strategic Plan.  I was the liaison from Intergovernmental and Performance Partnerships with the States to the Strategic Planning process and Alex was the liaison from SP to Intergovernmental.  We had a grand time protecting human health and the environment together.  

We got to work with the wonderful Regional Offices' planners and NEPPS Coordinators, and to travel a couple of times together.  He diagnosed my Shingles one evening and I got treated right away with little pain and short duration.

My hubbie Steve and I love to go to parties and dinners with Larry and Alex and enjoyed their visits to our home.  Larry, this year's Constitution Party is May 14.  Hope you can make it and bring that wonderful Tuna Dip you make.

I grew up 4 doors from the Wolfe family. I would be at their house pretty much every day to the point I was asked “Sigismondi, do you ever go home”. Although I am closest with his sister Jannis, Alex was like a brother to me. I can remember as a child; sitting on his lap as he brushed my long brown hair,  spending hours helping him with the infamous “Rose Garden” (as I would only wait until I thought he wasn’t looking, to steal  some of the roses we had spent the whole day trimming and pruning, only to be able to take some home for my bedroom). I remember he liked to listen to music/records and I would often sneak up to his room just to sit with him. One of our favorite songs “The Lions Sleep Tonight” would play and we would dance around his room singing, twirling and snapping our fingers. I also remember him, even up until last month, giving me the latest weather reports (which were more accurate then the meteorologist on the news).  Alex was a very personable, loving and unique individual. He had a love for the finer things in life. When I think of Alex Wolfe I think of one word “Refined”.

Uncle Al was the most selfless, smart, loving, passionate, funny, and adoring man I've had the pleasure of meeting.  Uncle Al is my husband's, Jason Baier, uncle and Godfather.  He was such an amazing role model for my husband growing up and always tells stories about how much fun they had when he was younger.  Jason loved to go through the car wash at a young age, so anytime Uncle Al needed to get his car washed, he'd pick up Jason and they go through many times.  He always played He-Man with Jason when he was growing up too.  He was very involved in Jason's life and I know that Jason would have had it no other way.  He made sure to always let Jason know how special he was to him and when we had our son, Alex, he could not stop smiling and laughing whenever he was in his presence.  He was a true gift to this world and was taken far too soon.  I will forever miss his humor, his chicken noodle soup, his laughter, his smile, his weather reports, his e-mails, his phone calls, his glow, his knowledge, but most of all I will miss him seeing my son grow up with his namesake and my son seeing the loving relationship he and Larry had together.  I know he will always be around us and I will always have him in my thoughts, prayers, and everyday life.  We miss you Uncle Al.  Words can't even begin to describe how much you are missed.  We love you ALWAYS. 

For the past 14 years that I have been a part of the Hirshauer ( Jim's Family)family ( Married to Jim's Niece Gwen)I have know Alex as Uncle Alex. He was always kind and understanding and I think we became friends immediately. Even though we were from two different spectrum's of this earth, Alex the sophisticated professional and me the young cowboy, we just hit it off. We talked about some of the strangest things and respectfully argued about others, but never once held bad feelings towards each other for the disagreements. I remember asking Uncle Alex and Larry why my wife and I never got an invitation to their parties and was told " i didn't think you would come" After a year or so with no invite , I said to Uncle Alex " hey , what's the deal? I know you have had parties in the last year and still no invite?''He replied that he thought I was joking during the first conversation and that now he knew I was serious , he would invite us. It was one of the funnest and most memorable party's I have been to. It was a small party but a  party all the same and I finally got to meet alot of his friends. They were everything Uncle Alex told me they would be. Funny , friendly and caring. Just like Uncle Alex .

He and Larry were always a pleasant sight to see at our annual house party. It will be different this year without him.

My boys cared and loved Uncle Alex so much. They wanted to stay at his house for week when Gwen and I take a trip next year. They were very sad at the new that we had lost Alex this morning.

My wife Gwen has always told stories of Uncle Alex and the love in her voice is always obvious. She loved her Uncle Alex and Larry with all her heart. She will have a hard time dealing with this, but I will encourage her to keep the love alive both inside and out. 

One of Alex and I's last conversations was that he wanted to ride the zip line at my house and we swore that when he was strong enough to do it and the weather broke we would make it happen.

I will have to ride it in his memory today.

We will miss our Uncle but keep his memories close to our hearts.

Love , Dustin Hoover and Family