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Alexander J. ‘Alec’ Robertson Jr.
Alexander J. ‘Alec’ Robertson Jr. of Bridgehampton died on January 29. He was 91.
He was born in New York on July 24, 1930 to Alexander “Sandy” Johnston Robertson and Sylvia Conway Robertson. His sister Pat (Patricia Robertson Wilson), was four years older. He grew up in Bronxville and Bridgehampton.
Robertson attended Deerfield Academy and Williams College, where he was a member of Psi Upsilon fraternity and majored in music. Through his life, he was a knowledgeable audience member and patron of music. At parties, he had a repertoire of popular, traditional and bawdy songs accompanied on the ukulele.
He was a loyal alumnus of Williams, attending reunions, donating funds, and serving as his class secretary for many years.
After graduating, Robertson joined the U.S. Army and served in the Korean War in the Army Security Agency.
Upon returning to the U.S., Robertson embarked on a 40-year career in the beverage canning industry, working for firms including Continental Can, Ball and Metal Box. In the 1980s, he started his own company, Robertson Group, a manufacturer’s representative.
In 1957, he married Mary Lee Hammesfahr. The couple had four children, and moved with Robertson’s work around the Eastern seaboard, to South Africa and Colorado. Throughout, the family maintained ties to Bridgehampton, where they spent summers.
Robertson loved the outdoors and pursued his passions of skiing and sailing. In 2011, Mary Lee lost a long struggle with cancer. After her death, Robertson re-connected with a childhood sweetheart, Judy Makrianes, and the two of them became a devoted couple.
On January 29, 2022, he died surrounded by loving family.
Gregarious Alec was a true light of this world, his family said, noting that he was someone who lit up the room with his presence. Whatever his cares, he never lost his sense of fun.
He was also a vigorous and disciplined worker, they said, who kept abreast of world affairs and technology.
Although successful and accomplished, Robertson remained a modest person through his life, with a bright interest in other people, their passions and their achievements, his family said, noting that he was a true gentleman, with elegant, old school manners and a sense of chivalry.
He is survived by this children, Robbie, Gratia McLane, Duncan, and Gillian Molesworth-St Aubyn; and grandchildren Andre, Alex, Trip, Allison, Nick, Miranda, George, Sophie and Freddy.
Memorial services will be planned in summer 2022 in Old Lyme, Connecticut, and Bridgehampton. Details will be posted on rwwfh.com.
Staff Writer on Feb 7, 2022