John Bligh
- Retired teacher
- Mark Twain IS 239 for the Gifted and Talented, Brooklyn
Alexander Meyers built his life around the strong principles of education and union activism. A UFT member since the union’s birth 60 years ago, he went on strike during his first year of teaching to help the UFT gain recognition and collective bargaining rights.
Alexander spent the last 30 of his 31 years as a teacher at Mark Twain IS 239 for the Gifted and Talented in Coney Island, Brooklyn. He was a longtime chapter leader at the school and a fierce advocate for members’ rights.
He died of coronavirus on April 11 at age 88.
Alexander started his career as a math teacher and later switched to history, a subject he was deeply passionate about. He was nicknamed “Rexoman” by his students and colleagues for the numerous handouts he made for his classes using a rexograph machine, a copy machine common to the era.
Alexander took the moniker and ran with it, labeling all the handmade birthday and anniversary cards he created for family and friends “Rexoman Productions,” said his son, Joseph Meyers.
“He was a great teacher and an instrumental chapter leader,” said Michael Polenski, who was his colleague at Mark Twain. “Because of his enthusiasm, others, including myself, became chapter leaders, too.”
Alexander retired in 1991 after a long and fulfilling career.
He is survived by his five children, JoAnne Meyers, Louis Meyers, Francine Twomey, Joseph Meyers and Kevin Meyers; and his eight grandchildren, Alicia, Christopher, Brendan, Justine, Haleigh, Aaron, Gabrielle and Rebekah.
There will be no service at this time. In lieu of cards or flowers, the family asks friends and colleagues to consider a donation to foodbanknyc.org as a way to honor Alexander’s life.
Al was my mentor when I started teaching at Mark Twain. He was a great inspiration and helped me to navigate this new profession. He was always there with a helping hand. My condolences to the entire Meyers family
Mr. Meyers will always be remembered as an excellent educator…He was my Dad’s teacher and mine as well.. My condolences to his family and friends… Coney Island was very lucky to have such a dedicated professional…
Great men can be found in the unlikeliest places. Rest in peace Allie and thank you for teaching us all how to give of ourselves in order to improve the lives of others.
Repo-Man was one of the teachers at Twain when I started teaching there in 1982. Nice man. Well respected. My condolences to him family and close friends.
Mr. Meyers was a teacher when I was a student at Twain, but I never had the pleasure of having him. I started teaching there in 1995, so he had already retired; however, I remember his son, Joseph, taught Strings for some time before moving on to teach at LaGuardia. I have heard many great stories about him and I know he will be missed. My condolences go out to his family and friends.
He was my SS teacher at Mark Twain in 1983 and recommended for my first job after school working for the theater department at Brooklyn College. A great teacher and a kind man. Rest In Peace Mr. Meyers.