Alex Beaton's Retirement, Ottawa 1987

Alex Beaton & Gordon Shimizu

Photo and text were originally published in the February / March  1987 edition of Zephyr **** On January 20, 1987, 55 friends and associates of Alex Beaton gathered for lunch in Ottawa on the occasion of his retirement as chief of Ice Forecasting at Ice Centre, Environment Canada. Many messages of congratulation were read, and included those of the U.S. coast guard International Ice Patrol, Danish Meteorological and German Hydrographic Institutes, U.S. Joint Ice Centre, U.S. Great Lakes Environmental Research Laboratory, and the Canadian Coast Guard. Alex commenced his career with MSC (AES) in 1954.  To commemorate his many years of dedicated service to the public, Gordon Shimizu, director general, Central Services Directorate, presented him with a framed certificate signed by the prime minister. A travel bag was given to Alex by John Falkmgham on behalf of his colleagues in the Ice Branch and AES. Don Champ, director of Ice Branch, presented him with an engraved barometer, plaque, an Ice Patrol cap and crests from his associates in the Ice Branch In Downsview.  Those in attendance enJoyed the excellent luncheon, and extended sincere, warm wishes to Alex for a retirement filled with good health and happiness.