ALEX DUKIN 1925-2015
If you wanted the image of the typical immigrant from post World War II Europe who literally helped build this country, you couldn't do better than Alexander Dukin. He was a boisterously good humoured, warm-hearted, tough-as-nails engineer who had a big hand in the rapid expansion of Canberra during the 1960s and '70s. From the Woden Town Centre to the classic Russian Orthodox Church in Narrabunda, he left his mark throughout the city. 
Not bad for a kid, born on   July 23, 1925, who was orphaned at four in Stalin's Russia and survived the war serving in the Red Army. He then defected from the Russian occupation forces in Berlin to the West and made it to Australia in 1949.
Like many technically qualified immigrants from central Europe he started at the bottom. He worked as a fitter and turner at Cockatoo Island naval dockyard while he studied English. Eventually he was able to have his Russian mechanical engineering qualifications recognised and joined Civil and Civic Pty Ltd in Canberra. He rose rapidly through the ranks and was sole project manager on five major projects by the late 1960s. In 1966 Dukin married a Ukrainian refugee, Lena.
In 1973 Dukin set up his own company, APD Monaro Engineering (Aust) Pty Ltd, specialising in mechanical and air conditioning projects in commercial buildings. He built up a highly skilled workforce drawn from many cultures, trained apprentices and was a mentor to young graduate engineers.
Dukin retired from full-time work in 1992. In selling his business he made sure his tradesmen were found alternative employers and helped his foreman set up his own business. He "kept his hand in" by consulting two days a week.
Dukin had also branched out from air conditioning to church building. Canberra's Russian community had long dreamt of building its own church in the 14th century "Golden Epoch" style. In 1973 Dukin's fellow parishioners elected him project manager and set him to building it.
What followed was a monumental effort in fund-raising, planning, designing, constructing, fabricating and fitting out. Led by Dukin, an army of tradies, community volunteers and workers from his factory made the dream a reality. The Church of Saint John the Baptist Russian Orthodox Church, with onion domes and classical Russian design, was consecrated in   November 1988.
Over the years, Dukin received many awards, from New York to Minsk, as well as Canberra. The two he treasured most were the Saint Vladimir Cross (the highest award from the Russian Orthodox Church) and a Medal of the Order of Australia in 2002 for service to the Russian Community.
He was an outstanding man who, in so many ways, exemplified a generation of young immigrants who came from war-torn Europe and helped build modern Australia.
Dukin died in   September. In   November Lena died. Alex and Lena Dukin are survived by their daughter, Victoria.
Brendan Cox