On January 30, 2022, Robert (Bob) Frank Alcarez of Whitman, MA passed away at 74 years after living bravely with colon cancer for fifteen months.
He was born on March 26, 1947 in South Boston, MA to Frank and Norah Alcarez, following older sisters Doris and Joan. He loved Southie and strongly identified with his Irish ancestry through his mother. As an adult, he visited Ireland twice and continued to enjoy his mother’s Irish bread recipe. As a boy, he was an Eagle Scout and lifeguard. He loved the water and enjoyed sailing and sailboat racing through the South Boston Yacht club. He remained close with his childhood friends throughout his life, and the loss of a dear friend in the Vietnam War stayed close to his heart. Always one to help others, Bob went on to lobby for and secure the Purple Heart Award on his friend’s behalf.
Bob was a graduate of Boston Technical High School and Boston College (class of 1968), and he earned an M.B.A. from Suffolk University. He took special pride in being a BC Eagle, especially along with his sister Joan and niece Kristen. He stayed close with his college friends and always looked forward to the “BC Crowd’s” monthly breakfast gatherings, continuing outdoors even through his illness and the Covid pandemic.
He married the love of his life, Jane, in 1971. They spent the early years of their marriage in South Boston and moved to Whitman in 1975, where they raised their daughter Jennifer. Bob was a dedicated husband and father, known for his jokes and love of storytelling, including captivating childhood bedtime stories for Jennifer about the many alter egos of their family dog, Poochie. Jennifer fondly remembers their countless games of backyard badminton and evening checkers (he would playfully accuse her of employing fictional strategies such as “the Sicilian Defense”). He doted on “his bride” Jane and loved to surprise her with flowers. He was forever fixing things around the house and helping neighbors and friends. He knew everyone in town, and seemingly everyone in Massachusetts. He also enjoyed travel and toured many spots in the US and Europe with his family, including an extensive Hawaiian adventure where he famously “went for the ocean view” on all accommodations. With his love of conversation, Bob was never a quick table for restaurant staff, but he was also easy to please and a generous tipper.
In his professional life, he was a Certified Public Accountant who worked as a treasurer and CFO while maintaining his own tax preparation business. He was an active member of the Massachusetts Society of Certified Public Accountants, the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants, the Treasurers’ Club of Boston, and the Financial Executives International. He experienced a few periods of job loss during years of recession, which he handled with strength, and he was always quick to help others find employment. He was one of few people to enjoy tax season, as it meant extra contact with the many friends for whom he prepared taxes. His clients included everyone from lifelong buddies and professional contacts to his hair stylist and the waitstaff at his favorite local restaurant.
Bob enjoyed the rhythms of life in Whitman with regular walks at the town park and Hobart’s pond, weekly visits to the library (which also hosted his book club), and monthly meetups with his friend Jerry for haircuts at a local salon followed by beers at the Abington Ale House. He was an easy sell on lobster dinners, backyard BBQs, and Toll House cookies. He belonged to Holy Ghost Parish and volunteered on the Boards of Directors for the David Jon Louison Foundation and Old Colony YMCA, Family Services Branch Board, in support of a local homeless shelter. His calendar was a constant flurry of social and professional events, with the two circles frequently overlapping. Still, he always found time for his trusty book of crossword puzzles and daily printed newspapers.
On their wedding day in 1971, Bob promised to give Jane 50 years of marriage. In August 2021, he came through on that promise and they celebrated a joyful 50th anniversary together with their daughter Jennifer, her husband Ryan, and their four grandchildren: his namesake Parker Robert (4 yo), Elle Millenne Jane (19 mo), and newborn twins Lark Elizabeth and Isla Celeste. Meeting the twins after their birth in December 2021 was a motivating goal for him during his illness. He was deeply gratified to have two beautiful weeks with them at Jennifer’s family home in North Carolina. As a beloved grandfather, he was always happy to rock a baby or play with legos. Thanks to “BobBob,” Parker and Elle will always remember exactly where their noses are. He cared for his family in so many ways, from small and silly to huge and profound.
Bob’s cancer diagnosis was an awful surprise, as he was up to date on all preventative screening, and his type of colon cancer was unusually aggressive. Still, he handled his diagnosis with grace and strength. He was grateful for the life that he lived and for the vibrant community of love and friendship around him. He is survived by his wife Jane Alcarez (Bushman) of Whitman, MA; daughter Jennifer Anderson and her husband Daniel Ryan (“Ryan”) Anderson of Durham, NC; his four grandchildren; numerous nieces and nephews; and so many dear friends. He was predeceased by his sisters Joan DeAmicis and Doris McGuire.
His family will host a private memorial this spring. They would welcome donations in Bob’s honor to the Whitman Public Library and the Whitman Food Pantry.