Alexandro (Alex) Arce's Obituary
Alejandro (Alex) Arce of Miami Beach passed away Saturday evening, May 6, 2017 after years of valiant struggle with complications from heart disease. Alex was 83 years old.
Born in Lima, Peru on September 3, 1933, he left Peru in 1955 to make a better life for himself in the U.S. From his port of entry in Miami, Alex made his way by bus (where he started his discovery of the strange customs of his new country by being dumbfounded when they moved him from the back to the front to the back of the bus) to Washington, DC where he happily made his home for the next 55 years. He worked his way through various and interesting jobs in pharmaceuticals and laboratories, ending his professional career as a toxicologist at the EPA. He was extremely proud of his contributions to improving American life, and was also proud of the sacrifices that took. He embraced his new country in every possible positive way.
During Alex’s many years in the DC area he was well known in social circles as a popular party host and accomplished chef. Additionally, he was well known for his fashionable, debonair dress.
He was active in cultural exchange organizations and a charter member of the Shillelagh Chowder and Marching Society. Those fortunate to have known Alex through his life were drawn to him by his unique personal qualities, his infectious cheerfulness, debonair charm and bon vivant energy. Moreover, he was loved his kindness, generosity, and genuine care for others – his constant striving to make the world a better place for all.
Following retirement from the EPA, he moved to the Miami area with his wife, Kate, and settled in Sunny Isles Beach where they remained until their residence was destroyed by Hurricane Wilma. Thereafter, Alex and his wife moved to Miami Beach. Following his move to South Florida, Alex continued his interest in civic affairs. He was a faithful attendee of the Tuesday Morning Breakfast Club and frequent speaker and writer on civil and societal matters. Alex was an inveterate and out-spoken contributor of opinion piece to the Miami Herald, SunPost, and other local newspapers, which frequently published his views.
Alex is survived by his wife, Kathleen Arce, and his two adult children, Alejandro G. Arce, of Annandale, Virginia, and Rose Marie Arce, of New York City. Additionally he leaves behind two granddaughters, Elaina Arce, and Luna Arce as well as two sisters, Irma Seiler of Colorado and Gloria Apper of Louisiana.
The family requests that any remembrances be made to the American Heart Association at www.donatenow.heart.org
Arrangements by Blasberg-Rubin-Zilbert Memorial Chapel (305) 865-2353
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