Robert Arthur McAleer

Robert Arthur McAleer

Robert Arthur McAleer, 66, of Sterling, Virginia passed away on September 7, 2019 in Arlington. Robert was born March 28, 1953 in Farmingdale, New York to the late Walter and Evelyn Elizabeth McAleer. He was married to Linda Hovendon in September 1983. He lived most of his life from high school through adulthood in upstate New York, before moving to the Washington, D.C. metropolitan area in 1999.

Robert always had a deep entrepreneurial spirit, with a career that began in banking and progressed through the optical, healthcare, and automotive industries. He owned and operated several optical stores including Carpenter & Hughes in Fayetteville, NY as well as Eye Gotcha in Washington, D.C. In December, 1999, Robert suffered a brain aneurysm that put him in a coma for several months. Despite daunting odds, he emerged and fought through rehabilitation with the help and support of his sister Kathy, ex-wife Linda, and the rest of his family and friends. While the aneurysm had some residual effects, he undoubtedly recognized that he was blessed with a miraculous new lease on life that granted him almost twenty years of borrowed time. He spent those years wisely, cherishing every moment with his four young children through adulthood, playing an active role in their daily lives and becoming an integral part of major life events, fortunate enough to attend over a dozen graduations and two weddings. Robert had a sweet tooth for ice cream, an admiration for classic movies and his DVD collection, and a love for cars and Formula One Racing. Never accused of being shy, his engaging and outgoing personality lured groups of people in, friends and strangers alike. His wit and sarcasm constantly brought bursts of laughter, left jaws dropped on the floor with shock, and had innumerable innocent bystanders that became the subject of his jokes, wondering, ‘did he really just say that?’ Underneath the entertainer exterior, Robert cared deeply about the well-being of his four kids and put them above all else, often crediting his ex-wife Linda for her lifelong dedication to raising them.  His genuine love and pride for his four children radiated through every encounter and activity of his life, through his final days.

Robert was pre-deceased by his sister Eileen, and is survived by his sister Kathleen and brother James; four children, Jeffrey, and his wife Suzanne, Eric, and his wife Caitlin, Caroline, and his daughter Leah, who is to be married to Matthew Lucsok in November; his grandson John Robert McAleer; and by many other loving family members and friends whom he left with fond memories.  

Robert’s Celebration of Life will include a memorial service on September 12, 2019 at 1:00PM at Everly-Wheatley Funerals and Cremation 703-998-9200, 1500 W Braddock Rd, Alexandria, VA 22302 with a repast at Blackwall Hitch 5 Cameron St, Alexandria, VA 22314. Interment will be held privately for family.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the Vera House Incorporated in Syracuse, NY. Vera House, Inc. prevents, responds to and partners to end domestic and sexual violence and other forms of abuse. https://www.verahouse.org/

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