~{l:an~jl P7 cJ)(~h!President of Lions Internationa 1 39-1940

ALEXANDER T. WELLS, 23rd President ofLions International who headed the Associationduring the 1939-40 term, passed away suddenly inNew York City on April 9, 1954.

Mr. Wells was a prominent New York attorney.He was born in that city and lived there duringhis entire lifetime. He received his education inthe New York public schools, st. Lawrence Acade-my, Dwight Preparatory School and the [ew YorkLaw School. .

His career in Lionism began as a member 0 eLong Island City club, where he served as a di-rector, vice president and three terms as presidenHe held the office of Deputy District Governor fortwo years; then became District Governor whenthe entire state was one district. He became amember of the International Board of Directors fortwo years, during which he headed the Committeeon International Relations, and in 1936 was electedThird Vice President of the International Asso-ciation.

Mr. Wells became President of Lions Interna-tional at the Buffalo convention in 1939; his ad-ministration was marked by rapid expansion inmembership and service. As a Past President hetook no passive part in the organization; he headedthe Host Convention committees which staged theNew York conventions in 1948 and 1949, and wasbusily engaged in chairmanship of the Host Com-mittee for the 1954 International convention inNew York when death halted his endeavors. Heserved as representative of Lions International tothe United Nations.

Tributes to the life and unselfish service of Mr.Wells have come to the International office frommany Lions; three are reproduced here to indicatethe friendship and esteem in which he was held bymen who worked intimately with him in the serviceof the Association.Past Pres. William A. Westfall

"When I received word that the Grand Architectof the Universe had summoned Past. Pres. Alex-ander T. Wells to lay aside his working tools oflife and enter into the portals of his Eternal Home,I realized that I had lost a very dear friend. AlsoI knew that Lions International had lost one of its

- :t:.e!:!:Oers.e' red people and he

6L 0: ac ivity that he:"'etp ose who were

emselves. For manyife to tha purpose. He was

e a rocate. and was loyal toiends. He was a lovable and

fa er. and we extend to the- cere _-mpathy.

e was g e. cious, considerate and wise,and e eadfastly 0 . ideals until his life wasworthy of emulatio by all.'Past Pre . D• .4. keen

"It is a rare privilege to offer a tribute to PastPres. Alexander T. Wells. Over the years I haveseen in him the qualities, understood and lived byhim, that are basic to unselfish service to hu-manity. These are the very foundation, and havebeen the continuing stimulation, to the growth ofLionism. No day was too long, and no point ofservice was too distant, for Alex to plan and meetthe call for service in the name of Lions Inter-national.

"In his varied and continued activities in fur-therance of the United Nations and its purposes,no man or organization through its representativedid more.

"Alex lived and exemplified toward his fellowmen a love of service as depicted by Henry Drum-mond: "The spectrum of Love has nine ingredients;patience, kindness, generosity, humility, courtesy,unselfishness, good temper, guilelessness, sincerity."

"Lion Alexander T. Wells exemplified them all."Past Pres. H. C. Petry, Jr.

"Alexander T. Wells was a distinguished andmost able President of Lions International. Afterserving as President of our great organization hecontinued to serve Lions International in manyimportant capacities. He was a man of courage andvision; in recent years he has done much work forworld peace. Alexander Wells was our friend, andLions International has suffered a great loss by hispassing. During his lifetime he was an inspirationto all of us who followed him as President, andMrs. Wells has our complete sympathy."

THE LION24WDK 2013