Memorable Manitobans: Easton Irving Lexier (1926-2020)

Engineer.

Born at Winnipeg on 8 May 1926, son of Jack S. Lexier (1891-1970) and Lena “Len” Goldin (1899-1985), he was educated at Isbister School, Champlain School, Machray School, and St. John’s Technical High School. After taking an engineering degree from the University of Manitoba (1945-1948), he joined his cousin Cecil Blankstein at the architectural firm of Green Blankstein Russell Architects (GBR) as one of its first full-time structural engineers.

He would spend 45 years at GBR, the last 20 years as its managing partner until retirement in 1993. He served as a member and Chair of the Winnipeg Building Commission and spent more than 20 years on the Canadian Commission on Building and Fire Codes, including a term as its Chair.

He and wife Debby Slobinsky had a daughter and two sons. In 1949, he helped to design the Shaarey Zedek Synagogue, of which he was an active member, serving as its Vice-President (1983-1985) and President (1985-1987) and later serving on its board and committees. In the 1960s, he became politically active, working on the campaigns of Maitland Steinkopf, Bud Sherman, and Sidney Spivak. He was a member of the Maple Leaf Curling Club.

He died at Winnipeg on 3 January 2020 and was buried in the Shaarey Zedek Cemetery. A collection at the Jewish Heritage Centre of Western Canada includes items relating to some of his most prominent projects.

Sources:

Marriage registration [Jack Lexier, Lena Goldin], Manitoba Vital Statistics.

Obituary [Jack S. Lexier], Winnipeg Free Press, 6 October 1970, page 28.

Obituary [Len Lexier], Winnipeg Free Press, 27 August 1985, page 55.

Obituary, Winnipeg Free Press, 4 January 2020.

Funeral service for Easton Lexier Z"L, YouTube.

This page was prepared by Gordon Goldsborough.

Page revised: 16 December 2024

Memorable Manitobans

Memorable Manitobans

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