Alexander B. Aitchison

Alexander B. Aitchison, 81, of Newtown, died February 10. He was born in Melbourne, Australia, February 7, 1931.

He leaves behind a loving wife, Marjorie; three sons, Perry, Grant, and his wife Dawn, and Scott, and his wife Christin, all of Long Island; a brother-in-law John Houston, and his wife Margaret; and five wonderful, loving grandchildren.

Mr Aitchison was a graduate of Melbourne University in Australia. Tennis really was a passion for him. His love of tennis began in Australia and started his journey from Melbourne to Long Island, and eventually to Newtown. He was the general manager and CEO of Kooyong Tennis Club in Melbourne.

He moved his family to Long Island to work at the Port Washington Tennis Academy as general manager and CEO, where he had 1,200 students during his tenure there from 1972 to 1985.

His involvement in tennis stretched across the world, touching countless people, and included some of the most prestigious partnership involvements. At various times in his career he ran the Australian Open and the Davis Cup. His association included the United States Tennis Association (USTA) and Port Washington Tennis Academy, as well. He was the innovator of the World Class Rolex International Junior Tennis Tournament, and president of the Eastern Tennis Association in 1982, an organization with which he volunteered for 30 years. From 1972 to 1998, Mr Aitchison served as a volunteer with the USTA, and was on the executive committee. He was tournament director for the USTA Olympic team in 1984.

Mr Aitchison was named Tennis Man of the Year in 1992 and was president of Newtown Tennis Association in 1998. In 2001, he was named to the Newtown Sports Hall of Fame, and was tennis director at Newtown Youth Academy from its inception.

In 2006, his book A Tennis Experience And All That… was published.

His interests reached beyond the world of tennis. Mr Aitchison volunteered for 15 years with Newtown Meals On Wheels, and received the Birthe Melville Bravo Award from that organization in 2011, for going above and beyond service, a recognition he shared with his wife.

He supported Special Olympics, Juvenile Diabetes Foundation, the Newtown Tree Lighting Committee, the Newtown Dog Pound, Grass Roots Tennis of Danbury, and WestConn. He was a consultant, guest speaker, teacher, radio commentator, and a TV commercial actor at different times in his life.

With all of his accomplishments he was first a family man, and a true inspiration to all who knew him.

The family would like to thank Danbury Hospital, Dr Martin Abrams, and the wonderful caring staff of Praxair Cancer Center, who helped in his final years.

A private ceremony was held at his home. Honan Funeral Home assisted the family.

The Newtown Bee        February 17, 2012