"He went in peace. He had no suffering," said Bell, a physician's assistant who also served as McAleese's medical proxy.
In 2010, doctors discovered that McAleese had five cancerous brain tumors, one of which was inoperable. At the time of his diagnosis, the retired Army Reserve colonel had been working for the Navy's Wounded Warrior program while running the Miss Philadelphia pageant, an institution he'd invigorated after taking it over in 1996.
Winners of Miss Philadelphia go on to compete in the Miss Pennsylvania Pageant. If they're successful there, they compete in the Miss America pageant. The annual tradition began 93 years ago as a bathing-beauty contest to extend the summer season at the Jersey Shore. In recent years, however, the Miss America pageant has struggled to stay relevant as competing in high heels and a bathing suit for scholarship money seemed off-kilter.
Pageant officials moved the contest to Nevada, hoping to attract younger TV viewers. But the magic was never the same again. Pageant traditionalists felt that hosting Miss America in Sin City was bad mojo. They were thrilled to learn last week that it's coming back to Atlantic City, including the pre-pageant Boardwalk "show us your shoes" parade.
"Knowing [McAleese], he would have loved that. He used to go all the time. He used to go every year to the Miss America pageant when it was in Jersey. He never went to Vegas," said Christina Guzman, Miss Philadelphia 1999. "He loved how Miss America used to be."
A handful of previous Miss Philadelphias have volunteered to take up where McAleese left off to keep the Miss Philadelphia tradition alive and operating at the same highly organized, professional level at which McAleese had it for nearly two decades. Victorious Miss Philadelphias typically walk away with at least $10,000 in scholarship money.
The former misses have a long way to go. The pageant, scheduled for March 2, recently lost a big sponsor, TD Bank. Guzman said they have only about $5,000 for this year's winner.
"It's going to be really hard for me," said Guzman.
"I know he will be there with us in spirit. But I don't think it will ever be the same."
A viewing will be held Tuesday and Wednesday at Dinan Funeral Home, Spring Garden Street near 19th. A funeral Mass is scheduled for 10:30 a.m. Thursday at St. Francis Xavier Church, 24th and Green streets.
On Twitter: @JeniceAmstrong
Blog: philly.com/HeyJen
Email: armstrj@phillynews.com
