Joseph Mackney

Joseph Mackney

January 18, 1921 - February 25, 2011

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Obituary

Joseph Mackney, a decorated World War II veteran and lifelong champion of veterans' health care, died peacefully on February 25, 2011, surrounded by family, including his great grandsons, Caden and Conor. He was 90. Born January 18, 1921, in Long Island, New York, Joe was the son of Polish immigrants who arrived in America as teenagers. His life forever changed in 1944, when he met southern belle Dorothy Finch, of Black Mountain, N.C., whom he married after a whirlwind courtship of six weeks. Shortly thereafter, his Army unit deployed to France, where he served nine months during the war, helping run a hospital the U.S. set up in abandoned barracks once used by Napolean. After the war, Joe joined the Veterans Administration, where he worked in hospital administration.

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Brandon Strizich
Other •
I had the honor of working with Joe in St Vincent's cardiac rehab program from 2001-2003. He was a great man, always had a smile on his face and loved giving the cardiac rehab nurses a hard time :) (in a nice way of course) I am sorry to hear of his passing. I will miss him and have though of him every once in awhile as I have moved away from Montana. My prayers and deepest respect for Joe are with you. Brandon
BK
Bonnie Kappel
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I am so sorry to hear of Grandpa Joe's passing. It was a pleasure to meet him the few times at your boxing nights. I hope you can find comfort in your many memories of him. My thoughts and prayers to your family. Sincerely, Bonnie.
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Karen
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I met Mr. Mackney only twice through his daughter, Suzanne. Each time his humor, gentility,light-heartedness and profound love for his family shone through. I know how very much his family will miss him and have been impacted by his life time of giving.
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Mike & Pat Hink
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Ron, Shirley and Family, We are praying for all of you and join in your sorrow but even more in the joy of Papa Joe being in heaven. Love always.
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Robin Wolff
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I had the pleasure of meeting Dot and Joe when my parents moved into Highgate in April,2009 and shared a dining room table with them. I enjoyed Joe's stores about his time in the military and with the VA. during the many meals I also shared with them. I was very sorry to hear of Joe's passing and extend my deepest sympathies to his family at this sad time. Sincerely, Robin Wolff
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Cynthia Cherry-Schif
Other •
We'll miss Joe and his great sense of humor. I've never spent time with him, but what we didn't spend at least part of the time, laughing. I have an especially fond memory of Joe and it happened around the time my partner in crime, Joile and I were 13. We'd spent most of a whole day trying to record The Stone's "Satisfaction", so our voices didn't drown out the instrumental portion of the track and yet, close enough to the mic that you couldn't hear Mick singing. We had a terrible time, and Joe and Dot must have known what effort we put into it. At the end of the day, we came triumphantly down stairs, so everyone could gather and hear our fabulous hit. We all gathered in the kitchen and Dot had just finished baking a mouth-watering dark chocolate cake with marshmallow creme frosting. After listening to "Satisfaction", with Joile and Cynthia on lead vocals, Joe couldn't have been nicer. He made such a fuss over us and declared us "future rock stars!" She and I basked triumphantly in the praise lavished, as we gulped down the best cake everrrrrr, and asked for more. What a sweet man......rest gently, Joe. Love to all, Cynthia Cherry-Schif

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