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Chief Joseph A. McAleenan, Formerly Of Westport, Retired Police Chief

NEW BERN, N.C. - Chief Joseph Austin "Mac" McAleenan (retired), of New Bern, formerly of Westport, Conn., died Friday, Sept. 12. He was 86.

Chief Joseph A. McAleenan

Chief Joseph A. McAleenan

Photo Credit: The Daily Voice/Contributed

Chief McAleenan was born Feb. 24, 1928, in New York, N.Y., to Harold and Muriel (Moore) McAleenan.

He was a resident of Westport until 1990 when he and his wife moved to New Bern. Before moving to North Carolina, he served as a police officer in Connecticut for 40 years. He was first appointed a patrol officer with the Town of Westport Police Department on July 1, 1950, and progressed through to the rank of lieutenant. On July 1, 1975, he became the first chief of police of Weston, Conn., where he served an additional 15 years before he retired July 1, 1990.

He was a graduate of the 90th session of the FBI National Academy on Sept. 15, 1972. He also served in the U.S. Navy during World War II.

Chief McAleenan was a retired member of the Connecticut Chiefs of Police Association and the New England Police Chief's Association. He was a member of the Emerald Golf Club in New Bern where he was president of the MGA and a current member.

Chief McAleenan is survived by his wife Rita; daughters, Sheila Baker (Jim) of Southport, N.C., (formerly Fairfield, Conn.), Kathleen Lucas (John) from Trumbull, Conn.; son, Shaun McAleenan (Bonnie) from Loveland, Ohio; eight grandchildren; and three grandchildren-in-law. He was predeceased by his parents; sister, Patricia (McAleenan) Griffin; and brother, William McAleenan.

Calling hours are Wednesday, Sept. 17, from 5 to 7 p.m. at Oscar's Mortuary, 1700 Oscar Drive, New Bern. A Funeral Mass will be celebrated at 11 a.m. Thursday, Sept. 18, at St. Paul Church, 3005 Country Club Drive, New Bern. In addition, for his friends and family in Conn., there will be a second memorial Mass at 10 a.m. Oct. 18 at Assumption Church in Westport, Conn.

In lieu of flowers, contributions in memory of Chief Joseph A. McAleenan may be made to Craven County Hospice, 2818 Neuse Blvd, New Bern, NC 28561.

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