He was the “wee video man” to many, but there was nothing “wee” about Alex’s Richardson’s personality or the vast collection of friends he made throughout his 30 year career.
Popular and highly respected Portadown videographer, Alex passed away peacefully surrounded by his loving family on September 27 – aged 83.
He was the beloved husband of Yvonne and the dearly loved father of Elizabeth, Brian, Benny, Noel and Wendy. But he was also a friend to every single person he captured on film, CD or memory card across his impressive career.
Sharing his memories of his father, Alex’s son Noel proudly told Armagh I, “If it moved, my dad captured it!”
But Alex hadn’t always been a videographer! Before he ever picked up a camera, he was a car mechanic by trade and a fireman for over 20 years. As a fireman, he worked during The Troubles and attended to many serious fires and difficult situations, said Noel.
Then one day, he offered to help his local church out by covering an event with video. He picked up a small camera for himself and the rest was history!
Said Noel: “It was in the 1980s, I think that the videos started. He was quite well known. He did thousands of weddings.”
When Alex attended a job, he did so with incredible care and attention. Each event was carefully etched into his memory forever more. It wasn’t just a job to him, he enjoyed meeting people and being an important part of the most special days of their lives.
“We would have been out with my dad and you couldn’t go anywhere without someone saying, ‘Hello, Alex how you doing?'” said Noel. “Everyone used to say ‘You did my wedding twenty years ago’ and he would be able to remember the Minister or the Priest or if something funny happened on the day he could recollect it.”
Business increased as Alex “got into the family”, as Noel said. He explained that if one family member used his dad for an event, then the recommendation would come in for another relative to make use of him.
“Once he would video a family wedding he most certainly would have been ask back to do various family members from brothers, sisters, cousins, in-laws and, as he would call them sometimes ‘outlaws’ too!” Noel continued.
Under his business name ‘New Way Video’, Alex also covered countless school openings, carol services, church services, stock car racing, football matches, country shows and parades across Northern Ireland.
His tapes also went across the globe to Canada, America and even Australia.
He captured some incredibly memorable moments and – fittingly for the times we are in – also covered portions of the Drumcree Conflict in the 1990s.
Said Noel: “It’s quite ironic with everything going on at the minute because back then he was probably the only camera up on Drumcree Hill. He was the only camera allowed up. He did a whole series of Drumcree tapes.”
He also proudly caught a key piece of Portadown Football Club’s history, immortalising their first ever League Title win through the lens!
Noel described his dad as having an “infectious personality”, saying, “He was a big character in a wee man. He had an infectious laugh. He was a gentleman.
“He never took a drink in his life and people say ‘he was the life and soul’ but my father was. He would have talked to anyone.
“He had a joy for life and people, made an impression everywhere he went with the camera on his shoulder.
“At the time, he probably didn’t realise it, but he recorded and saved numerous memories and events that people can now look back on with a fondness. Bringing lost loved ones back to life and young and old people having a record of achievements and events with fond memories.”
Alex was also the loving father-in-law of Alan, Cathy, Victoria, Tania and Sid, much loved granda of Rachel, Emma, Katie, Mia, Raquel, Cameron, Danny, Luke, David and Jack, great granda of Ellie, Joe, Sophie and Freddie and dear brother of Beatrice and the late George, Betty, John and Margaret.
His Funeral Service will be held in Portadown Elim Church on Thursday (October 1) at 12noon followed by a private family interment.
Friends welcome at ‘The Old Meeting House’ on Tuesday from 2pm – 4pm and 6pm – 9pm.
Donations are being gratefully received for Portadown Elim Church Building Fund and NIPANC in lieu of flowers.
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