Bert J. McKasy

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McKasy, Bert J. age 77 of Mendota Heights, passed away peacefully, surrounded by his loving family at his home on February 8, 2019. Born on January 10, 1942 in St. Paul, Minnesota to Bert A. & Lee (Halloran) McKasy. Bert attended St. Mark's Catholic School where he met his future wife, the beautiful Carolyn Dieveney, in 2nd grade. He was a proud graduate of St. Thomas Military Academy, the University of St. Thomas and the University of Minnesota School Of Law. He was a retired partner of Lindquist & Vennum LLP (now Ballard Spahr) and co-founder of McKasy Travel Agency with his wife, Carolyn. Bert was active in government and served three terms in the Minne-sota House of Representatives in addition to serving as Commissioner of the Minnesota Department of Commerce, Vice-Chairman of the Metropolitan Airports Commission, and Chief of Staff in Washington, D.C. to his good friend U.S. Senator Dave Durenberger. He was also active in the local business community and served as Chairman of the Board of Mairs & Power Mutual Funds and as a Director of UCare, Lec Tec, Northstar Ice and the American National Bank of St. Paul. Bert contributed widely to his community and served as Chairman of the Board of the St. Paul Chamber of Commerce, Chairman of the St. Paul Winter Carnival Association in the centennial year of 1986 when the Lake Phalen ice palace was erected, Treasurer of Children's Hospital, Chairman of the Board of Trustees of his alma mater, St. Thomas Academy, Trustee of the F.R. Bigelow Charitable Foundation, and President of Somerset Country Club where he played golf with his buddies for 42 wonderful years. He also enjoyed spending summers with family at Church Pine Lake in Wisconsin since the age of 6, and winters on Vanderbilt Beach in Naples, Florida. Preceded in death by his parents, Bert & Lee (McKasy) Fritz and stepfather, Joseph P. Fritz. Bert is survived by his beloved wife of 54 years, Carolyn, who took incredible care of him to the end of his life. He is also survived by his adoring children; Kristi & (Kevin) Hykes, Mark McKasy, Liz & (Mike) O'Brien and Shannon & (Chris) Kroon and his loving grandchildren; Emily, Sam & Ben Hykes, Connor, Mac, Riley & Finn O'Brien and Jack, Lauren & Will Kroon. A special thank you to Father John Malone and Lindsey Pelletier of Our Lady of Peace Hospice. A visitation will be held on Wednesday, February 13th from 4:00-8:00pm at O'Halloran & Murphy, 575 Snelling Avenue S, St. Paul, MN 55116. A Mass of Christian burial will be held on Thursday, February 14th at 10:00am at Church of the Assumption, 51 7th Street W, St. Paul MN 55102. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be sent to St. Thomas Academy, 949 Mendota Heights Road, Mendota Heights, MN 55120 or to Our Lady of Peace Hospice, 2076 St. Anthony Avenue, St. Paul, MN 55104. O'Halloran & Murphy Funeral Home 651-698-0796

Published on February 13, 2019