Owen Mcaleer

McAleer, Owen Walter

Peacefully on Monday, April 25, 2022, after a brief illness at the Ottawa Civic hospital in his 89th year. Devoted husband of the late Marlowe McAleer. Family, kindness, generosity, and integrity were Owen’s key values. Predeceased by his parents James and Mary Ellen McAleer and his sisters Frances, Alice and brothers Eugene and Clifford. He was the proud and loving father of Alison (Walter Mastenbroek), Kevin (Annette McAleer), Robert (Christine McCormack) and Lise Nolan and doting uncle to Colleen Geary. The cherished grandfather of Nathan Mastenbroek, Katie McAleer, Christopher McAleer, Matthew McAleer, Rachel McCormack, Thomas Wright (Dani Wright), Jessica Lee (Jesse Lee) and the great-grandfather of Addison and Paige Wright and Marcus and Grace Lee. Dear friend and companion of Marjorie Windeler with whom he spent many good days of travel and laughter. Owen will be sorely missed by his many nieces, nephews, cousins, extended family, and friends. Owen was born and raised in Pointe St Charles, Montreal. With a scholarship, he studied under the Jesuits at Loyola College and joined the Royal Canadian Air Force Reserve as a Cadet Navigator. From there he graduated from McGill University in Electrical Engineering. Immediately after graduating Owen was hired by Bell Canada where he rose through the ranks to become a vice-president and eventually a board member for Cable & Wireless in the UK. During his high school years, he met Marlowe. They married in 1957 and lived in Montreal where their three children were subsequently born. He was, a fan of Irish whiskey, a good joke and a great story. He was a sharp political observer who loved dogs (okay this part about the dogs is a complete lie - but he will get the joke). He tolerated his children’s pets - all 8 dogs. After retiring, Owen travelled extensively and absolutely adored being with his family. The best evenings were spent sharing stories and laughing till the tears came. That is how we knew we had succeeded in telling a great story - if Owen laughed until he cried, we had scored a win. With Owen - we won and won often. He was our rock and our guide in the world of adventure.

The highlight of his life was the family cottage near Westport that he and Marlowe bought about 30 years ago. Over the years as the extended family grew and grew - so did the cottage. After literally thousands of communal meals with family and friends it was the best gift they ever gave. Friends may call at the Westboro Chapel of Tubman Funeral Homes, 403 Richmond Road (at Roosevelt Ave) on Monday May 02, 2022, from 10 until time of service in the chapel on Monday at 12:00 noon. Cremation to follow. Condolences, donations or tributes may be made at www.tubmanfuneralhomes.com