James M. Alexander, MD, 79, of Monroe, loving husband of Barbara Oefinger Alexander, died  November 1 in Danbury Hospital. Born in Bridgeport on May 30, 1937, he was a son of the late Bridgeport Police Officer Morris R. Alexander and Rose LaBrecque Alexander.

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, Mich. 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. His parents and brother, Bruce, predeceased him.

Dr Alexander was a graduate of Fairfield Prep, Fairfield University, and Seton Hall College of Medicine. After completing an internship at Hartford 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 more than 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. 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.

Before his death, he was 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, at 10 am in the Abriola Parkview Funeral Home, 419 White Plains Road, Trumbull, and at 11 am in St Jude Church, 707 Monroe Turnpike, Monroe, for a Mass of Christian Burial. Interment with full military honors will follow in Gate of Heaven Cemetery, Trumbull.

Relatives and friends may greet the family on Thursday, November 3, from 4 to 8 pm.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to Marines Helping Marines - Wounded Warrior Program, 512 Thorton Court, Myrtle Beach SC 29579.

To leave an online condolence, visit abriola.com.