Harry Mckaig

Harry J. McKaig, a Korean War veteran and resident of Highlands Ranch, Colorado, passed from this life recently at the age of 90.

Harry was the father of seven children with late wife Marianne Pfeiffer: Michael (Sue) McKaig, Mary (Frank) Tagge, Kathleen (David) Rak, Joseph (Kerry) McKaig, Patrick (Karen) McKaig, (the late) Tim (Stella) McKaig, and Teresa McKaig. He was the dear brother of William (the late Ruth) McKaig, Lois (the late Al) Kandt, and Laura (the late Thomas) Early, and brother-in-law of Barbara (the late Donald) McKaig. He is preceded in death by his parents Donald W. (Flora) McKaig, wife Marianne, sisters Rita McKaig, and Joan (Robert) Nolan, brothers John (Donna), Raymond, and Donald McKaig. Harry is survived by six of his children, 9 grandchildren, 17 great-grandchildren, many nieces and nephews.

Harry grew up in Detroit with his large family.  He played football on the St. Francis high school team. At one point there were four McKaig brothers on the team, all linemen. He spent several summers helping on his grandparents’ farm, where he met his future wife, Marianne.  They were married in June of 1954.

Harry was an avid traveler. Some of his favorite times were spent with friends and family on vacations and tours all over the country, plus visiting Ireland, Scotland, Turkey, Italy, Mexico, South America, China and Thailand. He was known as the “Triple A Tour Guide”. Favorite local ‘tour’ sites: Lookout Mountain, Mount Evans, Rocky Mountain National Park, Mesa Verde, Evergreen, Casa Bonita and the Old Spaghetti Factory.

He created a legacy of many cherished photos of family times, scenery, and his ‘pet’ deer and foxes near his Roxborough Park home.

He attended ALL 9 of his grandchildren’s weddings all over the country, as recently as late August of this year to California, plus their 1st communions, graduations, and many other extended family events.

Harry was known as the ‘grill master’; hosting big family dinners delighted him. He was also known for planting teeny, tiny tomato plants with a 6-foot stake next to them “To give them a challenge”. Always successful – his garden was legendary.

His other interests included attending Air Force football games, Highland festivals, church activities, and being actively involved at Wind Crest Senior Living Community on resident councils. Harry was a consistent participant at the weekly rosary, and as a Lector at Masses. He had served his community on many committees including Red Cross, Parish Councils, Boy Scouts, American Society of Safety Engineers (several years as President).  He was active in the Saint Frances Cabrini Knights of Columbus (Fourth Degree) and the Silver Strands.

His professional career included over 40 years as an Engineering Manager with Aetna Life and Casualty company in Michigan and Colorado, and he received numerous awards for excellence, outstanding performance, and professionalism. He was a CPCU – Certified Property and Casualty Underwriter and a PE – Professional Engineer.  As an Army veteran he was stationed in Hokkaido Japan, 1st Cavalry (field artillery).

Harry particularly treasured his many friends at Wind Crest where he lived almost 14 years, especially dinner buddies Norm and Fred, and enjoyed treating guests to gourmet meals there. Another favorite activity was introducing family members to his numerous friends at Wind Crest, as well as showing guests all the community amenities especially the annual holiday model railroad display which was a favorite.

A Vigil Rosary will be held on Monday, September 26th, at 5:30pm at Horan and McConaty Funeral Home, 3101 South Wadsworth Blvd., Lakewood, Colorado. Funeral Mass will be on Tuesday, September 27th, at 10:30am at St. Frances Cabrini Catholic Church, 6673 West Chatfield Ave, Littleton Colorado, and his Shelter Service will be on Tuesday September 27th, at 1:30pm at Fort Logan National Cemetery. For those who would like to attend his service at Fort Logan National Cemetery, please meet at Staging Area B no later than 1:15pm.

Suggested Memorial donations honoring Harry may be made to: National Park Foundation, Colorado Coalition for the Homeless, or Food Bank of the Rockies.

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