Obituary of Denis J. McAuliffe

Denis Joseph McAuliffe, 88, of West Ellicott, passed away at 10:20 a.m. Saturday, October 26, 2013, in his home. An area resident since 1964, he was born December 6, 1924 in Manhattan, NY, a son of the late Denis and Margaret Coffey McAuliffe. Denis was a Corporal in the United States Marine Corps where he served in the Asiatic Pacific Theater from 1942-1946 during World War II. He returned home, finished his senior year of high school, and continued his education at Iona College in New Rochelle, NY where he earned his Bachelor's Degree in business administration. He began his working career with the RCA Corporation and Alexander and Alexander in various management positions. Mr. McAuliffe, (aka "Mr. Mack"), looking to run his own business, moved his wife and two children to Jamestown, NY where he owned and operated the Colony Motel on Fairmount Ave. from 1965 until his retirement in 2003. For over forty years, he was an active parishioner of the Holy Apostles Parish at SS. Peter and Paul Catholic Church. While his children were attending religious education, he taught CCD. Along with his wife, Mary Anne, he started the Antioch program for teens and was also involved in the Rite of Christian Initiation in Adults (R.C.I.A.) program. In later years, he served as a Sacristan and an Altar Server at SS. Peter & Paul. Mr. McAuliffe was honored to receive the lay award of "St. Joseph the Worker" for service to his parish. Surviving are his wife of 52 years, Mary Anne Hanlon McAuliffe whom he married October 21, 1961, three daughters; Margaret (Steven Iannotta) Lynch of Sparta, NJ, Mary (Darren) Culp of Midlothian, VA, Ellen (Michael) Klawon of Weston, FL, a son Denis (Christine) McAuliffe of Oxford, MI, twelve grandchildren; Brittany Hansen, Douglas McAuliffe, John Lynch, Sienna Culp, Nicholas Lynch, Jaylon Culp, Katie Iannotta, Jack Klawon, Justus Culp, Abigail Iannotta, Zachary McAuliffe and Teagan McAuliffe. Besides his parents he was preceded in death by his three siblings Patricia, William and John. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 10:00 a.m. Saturday, November 2, 2013, in Holy Apostles Parish at SS. Peter & Paul Catholic Church. The Rev. Dennis W. Mende, pastor will be celebrant. Friends will be received from 2-4 & 7-9 p.m. Friday, November 1, 2013, in the Lind Funeral Home where a Christian Wake Service will be led by Rev. Mende at 1:45 p.m. Friday. Memorials may be made to Holy Apostles Parish, 508 Cherry St. Jamestown, NY 14701 or to Hospice Chautauqua County, 20 West Fairmount Ave,. Lakewood, NY 14750.