Don Moriarty has been a respected member of Prince Albert's business community for over four decades. (Submitted photo)

By Nigel Maxwell

Storied careers

Prince Albert funeral home under new direction as long time manager steps down

Dec 30, 2021 | 2:00 PM

After 57 years of service in the industry, Don Moriarty is retiring as funeral home manager at River Park Funeral Home.

Lisa Bos-Atchison, long-time senior funeral director with Arbor Memorial will succeed him, making River Park an all female led and operated team. She told paNOW she was excited about her new position, and explained over the past year has had the opportunity to work closely with Moriarty, learning about the job but also the community.

“I am excited to be able to carry on some of their legacy and also be able to help and serve families in a new way as well,” she said.

When asked to elaborate, Bos-Atchison explained many families still want a traditional type of funeral service, but in recent years there have been more and more requests for more of a personalized and informal type service.

“And then of course with COVID, there’s been some changes there as well, so we have seen a lot of families have second services or having delayed funeral services,” she said.

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Lisa Bos-Atchison. (Submitted photo)

Born and raised in Saskatchewan, Bos-Atchison began her career as a licensed funeral director and embalmer in 2008, and later became a certified celebrant in 2015. She relocated to Prince Albert in early 2021 with her husband Austin, who is the branch manager at River Park’s sister cemetery, Prince Albert Memorial Gardens.

Bos-Atchison has also enjoyed becoming involved with the community over the past year. She is a member of the Prince Albert Rotary Club and a member of the local Royal Canadian Legion.

Moriarty’s history in the industry

Moriarty began his career in 1964 in his home town of Kamsack, working for Wilson Funeral Home, and received his funeral director license in 1967.

In 1968, he moved to Regina and began working for Lee Funeral Home.  Roughly eight years later, he and his family packed up and moved to Prince Albert. It was here that he planted roots, buying his own funeral home – McKenzie’s Funeral Chapel.

After many successful years, Moriarty and his business partner decided to sell their business in 1996. Moriarty then accepted a position at River Park Funeral Home in 2003.

Despite stepping down as funeral home manager, Moriarty’s long-tenured career in the funeral profession is not over yet. He will continue to serve the Prince Albert community as a part-time funeral director at River Park in hopes of enjoying some much-deserved down time with his family.

“His hard work, compassion and dedication to the funeral profession is unparalleled,” Bos-Atchison said. “We thank Don for his leadership and hope he enjoys his new role as he works towards his 60-year milestone in the profession.”

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nigel.maxwell@pattisonmedia.com

On Twitter: @nigelmaxwell