Memorial Wall

Bruce Richard McGrath, 71, died Wednesday, May 1, 2024, at his Denver home with his family by his side after a 13-year battle with Parkinson’s.

Bruce was born December 21, 1952, in Portsmouth, Virginia to Forrest and Patricia McGrath. His family moved to Denver in 1954. Bruce loved spending his life in Denver and Vail. He was an avid skier and car enthusiast who enjoyed racing cars. He was also passionate about biking and playing golf at Cherry Hills Country Club.

In 1976, Bruce graduated from the University of Denver with a degree in Business. Prior to that, Bruce graduated in 1972 from Kent Denver School / Denver Country Day. Bruce was a member of several organizations including Young Presidents Organization and YPO Gold Rocky Mountain. Bruce bought Elder Equipment in 1986 and started Canyon State Bus Sales in 2004, which he owned and operated until 2020.

Bruce was a longstanding philanthropist in his community. Bruce was passionate about supporting education with generous support to Kent Denver School and UC Health Anschutz. Bruce proudly served cumulatively 18 years on the Board of Trustees at Kent Denver School. He also loved animals and supported the Denver Zoo and the Dumb Friends League.

Bruce is survived by his son, Michael (Hadley) McGrath and grandsons, Grayson McGrath and Conrad McGrath; sisters Ann Peña, Lindsey (Tom) McGrath and Tracey McGrath.

Bruce will be remembered for his larger-than-life personality, his love for his family and friends, and his endless generosity.

Following a 16-year roller-coaster journey through various bouts of cancer and Parkinson's disease, Christopher Miller, 69yo, died on April 19, 2024 with his husband William "Bill" Stanley at his side. We are bereft at the loss of this wonderful man.

Christopher was born In Kalamazoo, MI where he maintained lifelong friendships, but made Louisville his home. He was a talented, intelligent, creative soul whose love for art and nature was instilled by his parents at a young age. At 17, he got his first job working with people with disabilities. He would continue to be inspired by the disability community and support their causes throughout his life. When in his late 30s, he adopted an eight-year-old boy, being one of the first single men in Kentucky to do so. His son Gary would give him a beautiful granddaughter, Amaree, who was the light of his life.

While Christopher spent much of his career as a successful fundraiser for nonprofits with a focus on the arts and humanities, he will be remembered by his friends and family as a gifted watercolor artist, poet, and pianist; a magnificent cook; and a consummate host who opened his home to all. He enjoyed spending time with Bill on beautiful Lake Michigan and traveling internationally. He fell in love with Portugal while working on an archeological dig there and returned often, making new friends each time. He was also a tornado magnet, narrowly escaping three.

Ever thoughtful, Christopher loved hosting gatherings where good food, wine, conversation, and laughter were shared in abundance. His eclectic mix of friends and family remember fondly his Thanksgiving and Christmas parties, which often included his piano rendition of “Diamonds and Rust.” He made us laugh, knew how to wear a good hat, and beat us mercilessly at Spelling Bee. He will be missed fiercely and always for his wit, generosity, integrity, and deep friendship. We will continue to feel his soul, hear his laughter, and walk in many memories that will sustain us.

In addition to his husband Bill, Christopher is survived by his grandchildren Amaree Skye Miller and Brayden Speed; sisters Pamela Pardue Stevens and Nancy MacKenzie; niece and nephews Ray Pardue, Chamisa MacKenzie, Dave Jurgens, and Gerry MacKenzie; and great nephew, David MacKenzie, as well as by his many friends. He was preceded in death by his parents, Clark and Jan Miller, and his son, Gary Miller.

Thomas George Rocks, 82, born in Waynesboro, Pennsylvania on March 31st, 1942, the son of the late Hugh N. and Margaret M. Rocks, died on April 1, 2024, in Portland, Oregon, from complications of Parkinson’s disease.

Tom (Dad, Poppa, Tommy, Uncle Tom, Dr. Rocks), a vibrant, creative lover of people and community, will be fondly remembered for his dedication to all he put his heart into, including but not limited to his immediate family and large extended family including surviving siblings, Hugh F. Rocks, M. Angela Rocks Shriver and especially his twin sister, Mary C. Rocks, nieces and nephews, his parishes, many educational institutions (particularly Pennsylvania State University where he earned his doctorate degree in Counselor Education), his clients, fellow music and theatre folks, and the greater Waynesboro community.

During the two decades he resided in Portland, Oregon, he was an active member of St. Pius X Catholic church and a volunteer for St. Vincent de Paul Society. Most notably he sang in the church choir and directed the Sweetheart Cabaret for several of those years.

He was a member of the Portland Symphonic Choir from 2009-2015 when his Parkinson’s symptoms no longer allowed him to sing. At that time, he transitioned into both leading and participating in many Parkinson’s Resource programs and events.

Through all 22 years, Tom was a very involved grandfather to Julia Katherine Connolly, Alexander William Connolly, and Fenn Thomas Connolly.

It would be impossible to enumerate the many organizations, activities and leadership roles Tom participated in during the 60 years prior to moving to Portland. Some highlights he will be remembered for are: St. Andrew’s Catholic Church member, his career with the Waynesboro Area School district where he was director of the All-school student and teacher theatrical productions. He was a committee leader of Waynesboro Summer Jubilee, a member of a barbershop quartet “Four the Good Times,” a weekly contributor of “Family Matters” column to the Record Herald newspaper and myriad more community service projects.

Tom approached all people with an open mind, open heart and open arms. He touched many with his empathic words and warm hugs. He often noted that “it’s not what you get from other people; it’s what you can give to them.”

Tom was preceded in death by his son Matthew Thomas, and his sisters Ellen Mary Rocks Fulton and Margaret Elizabeth Rocks Camilletti Bosold.

Arthur Queen, a longtime Baltimore-area funeral director and owner of two funeral homes, died of Parkinson’s disease April 1 at BridgingLife Dove House, a hospice facility in Westminster. He was 83.

Mr. Queen was born in Nutter Fort, West Virginia, to Minter A. Queen Sr., a pottery maker, and Bessie Mae Queen, a homemaker. He was the youngest of five children.

He started working at his uncle’s snack bar in Nutter Fort at the age of 9.

“He was always very busy,” said Wilma Brandenburg, his sister. “He always had a lot to do.”

As a teenager, he decided he wanted to become a funeral director. Mr. Queen would often accompany his father when he visited friends at various funeral homes in Clarksburg,  West Virginia.

“He said he always wanted to be a funeral director in high school,” his sister said. “Whenever they asked what do you want to be growing up, that’s what he would say.”

After graduating from the old Roosevelt Wilson High School in Clarksburg in 1958, he went to Cincinnati College of Mortuary Science, formerly known as Cincinnati School of Embalming.

Mr. Queen started in the funeral business over 60 years ago at Davis-Weaver Funeral Home in West Virginia when he was a teenager, his sister said.

In 1992, Mr. Queen purchased what is now Burrier-Queen Funeral Home and Crematory, P.A. in Winfield in Carroll County. Until he died, the Sykesville resident was involved with all aspects of the funeral home as owner, president, director and crematory operator. He also owned Loring Byers Funeral Directors in Randallstown.

Arthur Queen enjoyed woodworking and creating stained and fused glass.

“He was the epitome of a true funeral professional,” said Jim Covey, vice president of Burrier-Queen. “The community has lost one of a kind.”

He was a member of the former Liberty Exchange Club, a community service organization, Covey said.

Jeff passed away peacefully in St Luke's Hospice, Plymouth, on Thursday 4th April following a battle with Parkinson's Disease and Dementia. He was surrounded by his loving family who will miss him dearly. Jeff was a loving husband, father and grandfather.