Timeline: The life of Lincoln Alexander

Lincoln Alexander, Canada’s first black MP and former Ontario lieutenant governor known to all as “Linc” died at the age of 90 on Oct. 19.

Alexander served as Ontario’s lieutenant governor from 1985 to 1991 among his many accomplishments.

He was honoured with a state funeral on Friday at Hamilton Place.

The life of “Linc”

1922: Lincoln MacCauley Alexander born on Jan. 21 in Toronto.

1942-1945: Wireless operator with the Royal Canadian Air Force during the Second World War.

1948: Marries Yvonne Harrison.

1949: Son, Keith, is born.

1949: Graduates from McMaster University with BA.

1953: Graduates from Osgoode Hall Law School; called to the bar.

1963-79: Partner in Toronto law firm.

1965
: Runs unsuccessfully as a Conservative in the federal riding of Hamilton West.

1968: Elected Conservative MP for Hamilton West, re-elected three times 1972, 1979 and 1980; Becomes first black MP in Canada.

1979-80: Appointed Minister of Labour under Prime Minister Joe Clark; Becomes first black cabinet minister in Canada.

1980: Retires from politics; serves as chairman of the Ontario Workman’s Compensation Board.

1985-91: Appointed Ontario’s 24th lieutenant governor.

1991-07: Appointed chancellor of the University of Guelph.

1992: Appointed a Companion of the Order of Canada and to the Order of Ontario.

1996-03: Appointed chairman, Canadian Race Relations Foundation.

1999: First wife Yvonne dies.

2006: Publishes Go To School, You’re A Little Black Boy.

2011: Marries Marni Beal, a woman nearly 30 years his junior.

2012: Suffers aortic embolism; undergoes emergency surgery.

Oct. 2012: Dies at age 90.

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