Elias F. Alexander Jr. 1951-2026

He was born Sept. 20, 1951, in Youngstown, a son of Elias F. Alexander Sr. and Louise Payne Alexander.

Eli was a 1969 graduate of Ursuline High School.

He built a successful career as a business owner, founding Wesco, a garbage company, before going on to take over operations of the family vending business.

He served as treasurer for the Mahoning County Coon Hunter’s Sportsman Club and dedicated 12 years to the Canfield Zoning Board of Appeals.

Above all, Eli fiercely loved his family and cherished every moment spent with his wife, his sons and his neverending list of friends — a love matched only by how deeply they loved him in return. Quick-witted, endlessly resourceful and never short on humor, he was the guy who “knew a guy” for everything. No matter the problem, his answer was the same, “ain’t no big deal,” and somehow, with him, it never was. Tough as they come and unmistakably his own man, it’s rumored he was the muse behind Sinatra’s “My Way.” A legend in every sense, he will be profoundly missed by all who were blessed enough to know him.

He is survived by his wife of 41 years, Francine Bielik Alexander; sons, Elias (Lea) Alexander III of Canfield and Travis (Emily) Alexander of Willoughby; sisters, Sheila Alexander-Hernandez of Austintown and Celeste (George) Lafko of Chapel Hill, North Carolina; grandchildren, Maeve and Jude; and sister-in-law, Lynda Alexander of Ellsworth.

In addition to his parents, Eli was preceded in death by his brother, David, and his brother-in-law, Amil Hernandez.

Calling hours will be from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., leading into a funeral service at 1 p.m. Wednesday, June 3, 2026, at Old North Church in Canfield, officiated by Pastor Rhett Dodson. Interment will be in Calvary Cemetery.

Arrangements are entrusted to the care of Higgins-Reardon Funeral Homes, Austintown Chapel.

Family and friends are invited to visit www.higgins-reardon.com to share memories and condolences.

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