Paul T. MacAlester was born on May 12, 1926 grew up in Miami, Florida and passed away on November 1, 2014 at the Abigail in Tampa, FL.
He served in World War II as a radio operator/gunner in the B-29 “Superforcetress” and also served and personally proud of being a member of the 82nd Airborne. He then attended college and graduated from Stetson University and worked as a political correspondent for the Tampa Tribune covering the State of Florida Legislature during the 1950’s. Paul then left the Tribune to be Communications Director for Doyle Carlton Jr’s gubernatorial campaign in 1959/1960. In 1960, Paul became Director of Information for the Hillsborough County Aviation Authority. He was instrumental in the design and success of the Tampa International Airport as one of the world’s best. He retired in 1997 after 37 years with the Hillsborough County Aviation Authority.
He is survived by two sons, Wade C. MacAlester and Paul T. MacAlester Jr. and wife, Margaret.; one grandchild, Paul T. MacAlester III and wife, Brittany and three great grandchildren: Caitrin, Garrison and Damien MacAlester.
Interment will be private at the Bay Pines National Cemetery, 10000 Bay Pines, Blvd., Bay Pines, Florida 33744.
Please sign the guestbook below.
Veterans Funeral Care
727-524-9202
What amazed me about Mr. MacAlester was his ability to converse with me on just about any subject. A person that had a full and interesting life.
A man that wore many hats in his lifetime. He will be missed by many.
The Trzaska Family,
A VERY FINE MAN & GENTLEMAN ……… THAT WILL BE MISSED BY EVERYONE HE TOUCHED …………. OUR THOUGHTS AND PRAYERS ARE WITH THE FAMILY. LEE B. SIERRA & FAMILY
I have many great memories of times together with my good friend Paul. I know he is with his God in heaven.
Bill Smalley
SO SORRY FOR YOUR LOSS…..YOU AND YOUR FAMILY ARE IN MY PRAYERS….HE GOT HIS WINGS ON EARTH AND NOW HE HAS THEM IN HEAVEN…..
I’m very sorry for your loss Bro. I liked your Dad. I’m sure he’s in a better place now with no suffering. I hope peace will fill your heart end ease your pain.
I never had the pleasure of meeting Mr. MacAlester. I do know however that he made some wonderful sons! Love you Wade and our thoughts and prayers are with you. I’m so sorry for your loss.
Love,
David and Tanya Yarbrough
Truly sorry for your loss. Always in our prayers buddy….
Pat & Wanda
Our sincere condolences to the friends and family members of this great citizen, Father, Grandfather, and Great Grandfather. May he rest in eternal peace.
Joyce and Roy Wallen
Wade, so sorry for your loss! Thinking of you and sending thoughts and prayers! Love you! Margee and Tris
Dear Wade, I am so sorry for the loss of your wonderful father, a real Veteran, and real trooper. Wade, you are a wonderful son to him, and I’m sure he appreciates all your love, hard work, long term loving care and your persistence to keep after him and his care to the very end. There are no words for the loving care you gave your father. It was a long time. He is with God in peace now and you are also blessed. We wish you loving thoughts and blessings, and hope that you and your brother can be at peace now, as well, after your father’s long journey. May God bless a true Veteran.
Love, Emmy and John Reynolds
Paul MacAlester by all accounts lived an impressive life. But I think he would agree with me that his greatest accomplishment was his Son, Wade. I know that no son loved his father more and that is testament as to how Wade was raised by his father.
I have known Wade for more than 30 years and I know that his Father was the most important man in his life and whenever he spoke to me about his Dad there was always love and admiration in his words. In his declining years Wade put his Fathers needs paramount in his life.
I grieve with you for your loss Wade and I pry the your Dad finds eternal peace and tranquility (with just a hint of frivolity ;) )
Lee Daugherty
I had the honor of working with Paul at the Aviation Authority for ten years. He was a great friend and in many ways a mentor. Some of his art work was displayed at MacDill AFB for many years. Our prayers are with you in your loss.
We are very sorry to hear about your loss. It is a blessing though that you got to keep him 88 years. It is never easy to lose a parent and I am sorry for your loss. I remember the time Mr. Mac took us to Egmont Key on his boat when we were kids. That was big fun and I have never forgotten it. All the best to your family.
Dear Wade and Family, we are so very sorry to hear about Paul. May he now rest in peace and comfort. God Bless you all.
My thoughts and prayers are with you. Your Dad had a great mind and I know you will miss him. kp
My thoughts and prayers are with all of you at this difficult time
Paul was always one of the brightest stars in my life while at the Aviation Authority. He was a great friend. I know you were proud of your father and the many lives he lived. Now he has gone on the laugh and tell his amazing stories with the many friends he will meet in his eternal world.
So very sorry to hear about your loss. You are in our thoughts.
Mark, Sue & Ryan
Wade I’m so sorry for your loss. Paul was a great man he would brighten our days at GC.May he R.I.P he will truly be missed.
To Tom and Meg and the whole family–my sincere condolences. I never knew Paul MacAlester but I do know his son Tom–and he is one of the finest people I have ever met. I am grateful to know Tom and Meg and I know that my husband Jack appreciated all Tom did for him in the last 8 months of his life. I hope that the support and love of family and friends will bring you all comfort and peace.
Wade, We have not had the pleasure of meeting your dad, but if you are a reflection of him, then he must have been a great man. Our thoughts and prayers are with you and your family.
All-Our-Love,
Paul & Justine
He was a interesting man , a family man, He was a book of knowledge, amazing man. He will be missed. Remembered by many. The Hoskinson family
I loved to sit and converse with Paul at Grand Court. He had great stories each time we talked, and ALWAYS brought smiles to our faces. God Bless!
IT IS NEVER EASY LOSING A PARENT. MAC, YOU CONTINUE TO BE IN MY PRAYERS. THANK YOU FOR SHARING THIS WITH ME. GOD BLESS YOU. BOB SCH.
Tommy and Wade, I’m sorry about your dad’s passing. I still remember the day that he came to our 6th grade class to show us the “futuristic” new airport. It was right out of the Jetson’s. In Scouts he was always someone I thought of as a John Wayne type of hero. He always addressed us as “MEN.” He would say “OK men, time to pack up, let’s go”. I thought that was cool because it made you feel important and like a man, even at 12 years old. He was a smart, brave man. Paul will be missed. Warren
I had the pleasure of getting to know Paul when he lived at the Grand Court!!! He was a very lovely man and had so many stories to tell!! One of my favorites being how he loved redheads! Haha! He was a wonderful smart man who lived an amazing life! He will be missed! I am sorry for your loss!