Archbishop's web site Denver Catholic Register Parishes Catholic Pastoral Center
July 25, 2001
Prominent Catholic Joseph McConaty dies at 79
Civic leader built family business into successful company
Joseph Paul McConaty, retired president of McConaty's Boulevard Mortuaries, died July 18 at the age of 79. Known by friends and family for his gregarious warmth, his story-telling, and his sense of humor, McConaty was an "immense people person" who never had an enemy said his oldest son, Brian McConaty.
"Joe lit up a room," agreed John Horan, current president of Horan and McConaty Funeral services. "When you met Joe, he wanted to know everything about you. He had a knack for making you feel like you were the most important person in the room."
McConaty was born in Denver, Sept. 10, 1921, to James and Clara McConaty and attended St. Philomena's Grade School and Regis High School. Initially McConaty attended Regis College, but joined the Navy at the beginning of World War II and served with distinction in the South Pacific. After the war, he graduated with a business degree from the University of Colorado.
McConaty worked as a cattle buyer for Cudahy Meats before joining brother Jim at McConaty Boulevard Mortuaries, founded in 1919 by their father James.
"As a funeral director, Joe expressed his love for humanity as he went about his work," said Horan.
McConaty built a small family business into a successful company with a reputation for fairness, quality, and excellence, treating clients and employees with respect regardless of money or social status, said Horan.
"I liked that about Joe," he added.
McConaty sold the business to Horan in 1986, but continued working as a funeral director for Horan & McConaty for years afterwards.
A prominent civic and Catholic leader, McConaty worked on major civic and fundraising events for mayors and archbishops through the years, often saying, "I could never give money to charity faster than the Lord would return it," said his son Brian.
"He used to say this in different ways and different forms, but he believed it — and he lived it," he said.
Most prominent of McConaty's many leadership roles was his work as Colorado chairman of the March of Dimes beginning in the 1950s when polio was a major health threat. As a fundraiser, he worked alongside Jonas Salk, who developed the first safe and effective polio vaccine, and Virgina Apgar, known for developing the Apgar score and for her research on preventing birth defects.
He also served on the Board of Trustees for Regis University and Regis High School, and in 1983 was awarded Regis University's "Man of the Year."
McConaty's love for people found its most profound expression in his love for his family. "His greatest joy was his three boys," said Brian. "He took a very active role in the raising of his boys and just loved their success in sports and occupation." Even when the kids had all grown, "there was never a bad time to go over to his house," he added.
McConaty was preceded in death by his wife Helen and is survived by his present wife Ann, his three sons Jamie, Brady, and Brian, and six grandchildren.
Services were held July 24 at Christ the King in Denver. Interment was at Mount Olivet following the Mass.
Contact Us
