Harold Anthony McAleese

Harold Anthony “Mac” McAleese died Monday, May 20, 2024 in Falmouth, Maine peacefully after a long battle with Parkinson’s at 86 years old.

Harold was born August 9, 1937 to Alberta Gertrude Werkhoven and Harold Lawrence McAleese in Brooklyn NY. He is survived by his sister Joan Evers, two children and their spouses – Devin and Clare McAleese of Cortlandt Manor, NY and Caroline and Sean Riley of Falmouth, Maine. His beloved grandchildren Patricia, Kendra, Kiernan, Kelly and Kaitlyn. And his partner of 25 years Dorothy Frederick and her wonderful daughters and families. He is predeceased by his wife of 28 years Patricia who died in 1996.

Mac was stubborn, witty and if prompted – or in later years unprompted- regale you with wildly inappropriate jokes and commentary. He taught his children and grandchildren to never say hate, goodbye (always “see you later”) or overuse the words “like” or “you know.” He always focused on what was in a person’s heart for their intentions and not just their words. He made you laugh and cringe. He didn’t like laziness, egos, idiots (varying definitions depending on the situation,) bad drivers, liberals and cinnamon in his applesauce.

Mac was exceedingly proud of his children and grandchildren and would “sometimes” embellish their accomplishments. When questioned he would quickly remind you that “these were his stories.” We all knew better to further question.

He enlisted in the Navy at 17, put himself through college (before the GI bill he would want to note) and was a top surgical instrument salesman in Manhattan. He met his wife in a South Hampton bar where he stopped dancing, walked over to her and told her she had beautiful eyes. 9 months later they were married because “when you know, you know.” He liked to stump people with his medical knowledge and quiz doctors on their medical equipment. He traveled the world and never met a food he wouldn’t try or a person he wouldn’t talk to. He knew weird words in weird languages and if you had an ethnic name, he would use said words thinking he would be understood. He was typically not.

Mac loved spending his summers in Long Beach, NY and would work into all conversations that he had been Captain of the West End lifeguards. He would also tell stories about those summers that would seem too outlandish to be true. This was the one time his stories were actually tamer than the truth. Long Beach was truly a very special place to him and his entire family and he made life-long friends both in and out of the water.

He wasn’t perfect and knew how to push buttons but he was perfectly Harold and the world is a little less fun without him. Once he gets settled, our mom will be waiting to give him a kiss, critique his outfit, hear all about our adventures, question his politics and provide her passionate opinions. She will also start planning their next adventure for a bargain price so it was “practically free.”

To honor his proud Irish roots: “May the road rise up to meet you. May the wind be always at your back. May the sun shine upon your face. Until we meet again, may God hold you in the palm of His hand……and may you be in heaven a half hour before the devil knows your dead.”

If so inclined, donations can be made to: The Michael J. Fox foundation which is dedicated to Parkinson’s research; or Hospice of Southern Maine which was an amazing resource and sense of comfort. Please see below for more information about making donations.

A memorial service will be held later in the Summer on Long Island, NY.