Obituary of James M. Alexander, M.D.

James M. Alexander M.D., age 79, of Monroe, loving husband of Barbara Oefinger Alexander, passed away on Tuesday, November 1, 2016 in Danbury Hospital. Born in Bridgeport on May 30, 1937, he was predeceased by his parents, Bridgeport Police Officer, Morris R. Alexander and Rose LaBrecque Alexander. He was also predeceased by a brother, Bruce. In addition to his wife, Barbara, he is survived by three children, Kristine R. Alexander of Newtown, James F. Alexander and his wife Karen of Newtown and Janine E. Fierberg and her husband Douglas of Leland, Michigan. He is also survived by seven grandchildren, Daniel and Casey Prall, Audrey and Vivien Fierberg, Aimee, Annika and Maggie Alexander. His only surviving sibling, Lorraine Benedetto and her husband Leonard, a retired Bridgeport Firefighter, live in Shelton. Dr. Alexander was a graduate of Fairfield Prep, Fairfield University and Seton Hall College of Medicine. After completing an internship at Harford Hospital, he practiced family medicine in Bridgeport for two years, before returning to a three year residency in Psychiatry at Fairfield Hills Hospital in Newtown. Dr. Alexander practiced general psychiatry and forensic psychiatry in the Fairfield County area for over 30 years. He was an attending psychiatrist at both Bridgeport Hospital and St. Vincent's Medical Center. He started and directed one of the first Methadone Maintenance Programs in the state, but the accomplishment he was most proud of was being one of the first psychiatrists to establish a mental health group practice in which allied mental health professionals- psychologists, social workers, marriage and family therapists and advance practice registered nurses provided direct services and therapy to patients in a collaborative manner. He was currently serving as medical director at the Huntington Christian Counseling and Family Life Center. He was an honorably discharged United States Marine and serviced many officer positions on a department and detachment level of the Marine Corps League. He was past chairman and past president of the Great Bridgeport (Old Timers) Athletic Association and a member of the military order of Devil Dogs and the Marine Corps Association. Funeral services will take place on Friday, November 4, 2016 at 10:00 a.m. in the Abriola Parkview Funeral Home, 419 White Plains Road, Trumbull, and at 11:00 a.m. in St. Jude Church, Monroe for a Mass of Christian Burial. Interment will follow in Gate of Heaven Cemetery, Trumbull. Relatives and friends may greet the family on Thursday from 4-8 p.m. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to Marines Helping Marines-Wounded Warrior Program, 512 Thorton Court, Myrtle Beach, SC 29579.