Robert R. "Bob" Maccani

Robert "Bob" Richard Maccani

December 22, 1932 - November 22, 2025

Robert "Bob" Richard Maccani, our beloved husband, father, grandfather and Nono passed away peacefully surrounded by his family on November 22, 2025, at St. Camillus in Wauwatosa, Wisconsin.

Born on December 22, 1932, to Avelio and Cecelia (nee Simmons) Maccani in Bessemer, Michigan where Bob lived most of his childhood days until college. After two years at Gogebic Community College, Bob proudly attended Michigan State University where he obtained a Bachelor of Science degree. It was there that he chose the love of his life, Donna June (nee Massa) Maccani to be his wife. They were married on September 4, 1954, at St. Sebastian Church in Bessemer, Michigan. Bob and Donna made their home in Wisconsin in the cities of Brown Deer, Wauwatosa, Menomonee Falls and most recently St. Camillus.

Bob worked at Allen Bradley/Rockwell Automation as a polymer chemist, becoming a manager of plastics materials and materials technology and was considered an expert in his field. Bob received a patent for phenol-melamine-formaldehyde-resin on Christmas Day, 1962. An MBA from Marquette University was bestowed upon him in 1976. After retirement he started a consulting business and was called upon as an expert for Allen Bradley.

Bob, along with his wife Donna, was a trailblazer in disability advocacy. Bob was a board member of New Concepts, the Milwaukee ARC and Wisconsin State ARC. Their leadership helped establish education, community services and rights for people with developmental disabilities in Wisconsin in the 60s and 70s. They worked with other parents to get the Education for All Handicapped Children Act of 1975 passed which guaranteed that all children with disabilities had access to a "free appropriate public education" and to require that schools provided students with special education and related services tailored to their individual needs. They helped establish the ARC's Parent to Parent program and met personally with parents at local hospitals who had just given birth to a baby with Downs Syndrome. They supported and inspired many families and their children with Down Syndrome in Southeastern Wisconsin in the 70's and 80's. Bob, along with his wife Donna and their daughter Cathy, won a national TASH award and the Long Haul Award from the Developmental Disabilities Network in 2000. A longtime contributor to St Ben's meals and more recently as a driver for retired vets, Bob could be found helping others in many ways.

Bob often returned to his hometown of Bessemer, Michigan. But the 4th of July Parade & festivities week with his many cousins, friends and extended family was always a highlight. In addition to spending many fun times at "the cottage" on Lake Gogebic, Bob enjoyed playing bridge, water-skiing, snow and cross-country skiing, bowling, golfing, playing baseball, bike riding, camping and travelling around the world. An avid jogger, Bob often participated in Al's Run but was most proud of his second-place medal from the Sunday Lake Run. Bob could also be found tailgating at many Wisconsin Badger games, especially when playing his alma mater, Michigan State. Bob also enjoyed singing in the choirs of St Therese Catholic Church in Wauwatosa as well as the Bel Canto Choir at St Camillus.

Bob was immensely proud of his loving family. Survived by his wife of 71 years Donna June (nee Massa), daughters Patricia (Stacey) Black of Kewaskum, Susan (Kerry) McCarthy of Delafield, and son Steve (Maggie) Maccani of Oconomowoc; grandchildren Justin (Terri) Black, Ashley (Mike) Fredricks, Luke McCarthy, Dane McCarthy, Cassandra (Colton) Curry, Ceilia (Luc) Boyce, Ben (Amie) Maccani, Sam Maccani, Matt (Stacie) Maccani and great grandchildren Dexter, Mia, Emmi, Bryce, Caleb, Jordan, Wesley, Mason, Owen, Caiden, and Jordan. Preceded in death by both of his parents, his feisty daughter Cathy, and his precious great-granddaughter Nova Mae.

A celebration of Bob's life will take place on Friday, December 19, 2025, at St. Camillus in the O'Donnell Room, 10200 W Bluemound Road in Wauwatosa, Wisconsin. The Reverend Jim Ryan will preside. Visitation will begin at 10:45 am with a service to follow at 12:00 pm.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to be made to People First Wisconsin, P.O. Box 170894, Milwaukee, WI 53217, or the Down Syndrome Association of Wisconsin, 11709 W. Cleveland Ave, West Allis, WI 53227.

The family would like to extend their heartfelt gratitude to all the staff and hospice providers at St. Camillus for their compassionate and loving care. Sympathy cards may be sent to Donna Maccani and the family at 10201 W. Wisconsin Ave., Wauwatosa, WI 53226.