It is with great regret and sadness that we announce the death of the Reverend Alex Galbraith.
Alex died aged 60 years old in Queenscourt Hospice in Southport on Sunday (29th June 2025) following a long battle with cancer.
Alex was registered blind from birth. He had an excellent education from five years old at a boarding school for the blind, where the teachers had all the skills and resources to help him.
Alex began to feel a call to the ordained ministry of the church, which was strengthened when his father died very suddenly two days short of Alex’s 17th birthday and his growing faith sustained him in that loss.
After school it was Queen’s College Oxford to study modern history. Alex achieved an MA with Hons.
His time at Oxford ended with a 900 mile tandem ride from Land’s End to John O’Groats to raise money for a children’s hospice.
After the ride, Alex was recommended by the Church of England to study for Ordination. But, before he did that, in a gap year, he worked as a volunteer in a community for leprosy sufferers and other people with different mental and physical needs. That was a formative experience, testing and strengthening Alex’s faith.
Then it was back to Oxford to study at Wycliffe Hall theological college.
When he finished college, he came to Southport to a curacy at Emmanuel Church with the area Dean, the late Rev’d Canon Malcolm Whyte.
He also met his wife Avon and they were married in August 1992.
After another curacy at St Matthew and St James in Mossley Hill in Liverpool it was back to Southport, and to St Francis of Assisi, where Alex has been ever since.
Alex was also Chaplain to Southport Hospital for 14 years and at Queenscourt Hospice for more than 20 years, always helped by Avon, particularly when called out at night to pray for those who were dying.
He has served on the Diocesan Synod, the disability awareness group, Sefton area committees and has been the Sefton Mayor’s Chaplain twice.
Alex rejoiced to be part of a local ecumenical partnership, especially taking services in the other circuit churches and being warmly welcomed by the Methodists.
Alex was well known for his fundraising work and did several daredevil stunts to raise money over the years, including white water rafting, abseiling from Liverpool Cathedral Tower, a stunt plane flight over Blackpool, pot holing in Gaping Gill, climbing Mount Snowdon and cycling from his Church in Southport to Liverpool Cathedral and back on a tandem.
Alex leaves his family, wife Avon, step children Michelle and Kurt and their partners Jim and Louise; along with his beloved grandchildren, Rebecca, Thomas, Morgan and Alyssa and his own Mother Jenny, sister Jane and Brother Robert who all live in New Zealand.
Alex spent his life focused on helping others and dedicated his time to trying to make things better for his local community.
His faith was key to that and it is fair to say that the numerous people who knew him were all left with good memories and a lasting friendship. May he rest in peace.
His family wish to thank all the staff and volunteers at Queenscourt Hospice whose kindness, compassion and dignity have been of great support to Alex and them in the last couple of weeks.
They are simply angels who go above and beyond for those they care for each and every day.
- The Funeral Service for Reverend Alex Galbraith will be held at 10.30am on Friday 18th July 2025 at St Francis of Assisi Church, Folkestone Road, Kew, Southport PR8 5PH. It will be officiated by Reverend Neil Stubbens and the Interim Bishop of Liverpool the Right Reverend Ruth Worsley. Family Flowers only please. All donations to be made to both St Francis of Assisi Church and Queenscourt Hospice.
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