Alex Macar
Alex Macar, age 87, of Tampa, Florida passed away on Saturday February 7, 2015.
He was born in 1927 to Alexander Macar and Rose (Kurmay) Macar in Ralph, Fayette County, Pennsylvania.
In 1949, he married his wife of 63 years, Evelyn (Hovanec), and together they were lifelong professional musicians and restaurateurs.
In the 1940s, Alex performed clarinet and saxophone during his military service and was appointed bandleader of the United States Air Force Band in Tokyo, Japan.
After the war, Alex worked for United States Steel Corporation in southwestern Pennsylvania until the late-1950s when he became the proprietor of the “Wishing Well” nightclub and restaurant on Route 21 west near Uniontown, Pennsylvania which he and Evelyn operated and performed at until 1969.
In 1970, Alex and Evelyn relocated to Tampa, Florida with their four children.
They performed live music in various Tampa Bay area establishments before opening their own jazz venues, “Smart Alex” in 1975, and “Maestro’s” in 1981.
Alex continued to perform until 2012.
Alex was preceded in death by his parents; his wife, Evelyn (Wednesday December 19, 2012); his brothers, Ernest Macar and John Macar; his sisters, Helen Postlethweight, Jeanne Hoone; and grand daughter, Gina Balistreri
He is survived by his daughter, Suzi Balistreri; sons: Robert Macar and his wife Robin, Richard Macar and his wife Amy, and Alex V. Macar; five grandsons: Matthew Macar, Kevin Macar, Alex Macar, Gregory Macar, Jeffrey Macar; granddaughters: Maggie Macar and Lily Macar.
A Wake Service will be held Thursday, February 12, from 6 to 9 p.m. at MacDONALD FUNERAL HOME, 10520 North Florida Avenue, Tampa, FL 33612 (813.514.8153).
A Funeral Mass will be said Friday, February 13, 2015 at 10:30 a.m. at SAINT MARY ROMAN CATHOLIC CHURCH, 15520 North Boulevard, Tampa, FL 33613. Family will visit with friends 30 minutes prior to the funeral.
Family requests that tokens of sympathy be as contributions to the “University of Tampa Jazz Ensemble” and can be mailed with the notation “In memory of Alex Macar” to Development and University Relations, The University of Tampa 401 West Kennedy Boulevard, Box H, Tampa, FL 33606.
Send online condolences to www. macdonaldfuneral.com