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

By Nigel Maxwell

Community leaders

Prince Albert and District Chamber of Commerce names former funeral home manager recipient of Legacy award

Jan 31, 2023 | 5:00 PM

A man with close to 60 years experience in the funeral industry, has been named the latest recipient of the Prince Albert and District Chamber of Commerce Legacy Award.

Don Moriarty retired late last year as manager of River Park Funeral Home. He told paNOW he appreciates the recognition from the business community.

“I have made a lot of friends through the funeral home in Prince Albert. [The City] has always been welcoming to me and our family grew up here,” he said, adding his daughter Tracy is now a second generation business owner in the city.

Moriarty only was 17 when he began his career in 1964 in his home town of Kamsack, working for Wilson Funeral Home. He received his funeral director licence 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 he planted roots, buying his own funeral home – McKenzie’s Funeral Chapel.

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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. When asked what legacy he feels he leaves behind, Moriarty explained he will always be most proud of the long term friendships he made by helping families.

“You know sometimes they were pretty traumatic situations and I feel good about the fact I helped them through to the other side,” he said.

Moriarty is the 32nd recipient of the Legacy Award. Previous recipients have included Terry Mason, Janine Favreau, and Roses Stewart. Reflecting on the recent state of the city address, Moriarty said he was sitting at a table with another old friend who used a dry cleaning business, and together they noticed how few people they recognized in the crowd.

“It’s a whole new generation of business people that are out there and it’s really good to see it’s not just a room full of boys from the old boys club and there’s a new generation of business owners who have the confidence in Prince Albert,” he said.

In addition to his work at the funeral home, Moriarty has been heavily involved in the community, donating time to both the Kiwanis Club and Messiah Lutheran Church.

Patricia Hughes, CEO of the Prince Albert and District Chamber of Commerce, explained Moriarty was selected for his contribution to the business community and continued legacy in the funeral industry in the community.

“He is highly respected amongst his peers and has definitely earned this recognition for his 58 years of service,” she said.

Moriarty will receive his award during the Legacy Award brunch on March 13 at Prince Albert’s Coronet Hotel. The lunch is sponsored by Scotiabank and Branch Manager Dianne Ethier, offered her congratulations to Moriarty.

“Don has been a pillar of the business community and is deserving of this prestigious honour. He has grown his business over the years, creating a well-respected and prominent company. Scotiabank looks forward to presenting the award to him at the Legacy Brunch,” she said.

The nominees for this year’s Samuel McLeod Business Awards will be announced the same day, with the actual awards ceremony to take place on April 14.

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nigel.maxwell@pattisonmedia.com

On Twitter: @nigelmaxwell