ALAN DOUGLAS FRAZER, 87, died Friday, July 8, 2016 at home in Yorktown, Va.  Born in Atlantic Highlands, N.J. on April 26, 1929 to the Rev. Howard Frazer and Louise Lucas Frazer, he was raised in Medford, N.J. and graduated from Mt. Holly High School.  After graduating from Hobart College in Geneva, N.Y., in 1953, he served in the U.S. Army prior to taking a position with the New York Central Railroad. In 1967, he began a new career as the first curator of the South Street Seaport Museum in New York City. He later worked at the New Jersey Historical Society in Newark, N.J.  He moved to Virginia in 1988 to become a curator at The Mariners' Museum in Newport News, Va., where he retired in 1996.

Alan was a superb ship model builder, whose work won competitions in New York and Virginia.  Following his retirement in 1996, he volunteered at the model-making booth at The Mariners' as a member of the Hampton Roads Ship Model Society.  He also served as a board member of the Nautical Research Guild and Steamship Historical Society, and wrote and edited articles for both groups' journals. After retirement, he enjoyed cruising the seas and rivers of the world, while at home he sang  in the choir at Emmanuel Episcopal Church, and also with the Virginia Choral Society.

Alan is survived by his wife of 54 years, Jane Bennett Frazer, and by two sons: John Christian Frazer and wife, Jane; and Douglas Cameron Frazer and wife, Cindy.  He also had four grandchildren: Michael Murphy, Lucy Frazer, Eloise Frazer, and  Samuel Frazer; one great-grandchild, Greyson Frazer; and a special niece, Mary Bennett Smith.  He is also survived by one brother, Kenneth Frazer, and wife, Sara; his older brother, Donald Frazer, preceded him in death.

Alan was an active member of the Church of the Ascension, New York City, and Emmanuel Episcopal Church, Hampton, Va.  His funeral service will be at Emmanuel  at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, July 16, 2016, followed by a reception.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorials be given to The Mariners' Museum, Newport News, Va., or Emmanuel Episcopal Church , Hampton, Va.