Daniel McCloskey Obituary

Daniel McCloskey (“Danny”) was an Irish American. Proud of his heritage and of his service to his country. 

He was born in the house that his grandfather built near 29th & Federal Blvd in Denver, CO. Danny was the 6th child out of 7 born to Mr and Mrs McCloskey. His childhood was tough. Danny was placed in St. Clara’s orphanage when he was 5 years old and remained there until he was 14 years old, when he graduated out. Danny was then sent to Mullen Boys Home (back then, an orphanage for older boys). 

Danny enlisted in the United States Navy at the age of 17. Danny was a signalman on a Navy destroyer. He was stationed in Hawaii at Pearl Harbor. After serving 3 years 8 months, Danny came back home to Colorado. He was in the Navy Reserves for 2 years 3 months. 

Danny’s big break came when his best friend Dick Neale’s older brother Bruce got Danny and Dick jobs at KLZ Radio/TV (aka KMGH-TV Channel 7 in Denver, Co). Danny worked pulling cables initially. He eventually earned the job as a remote cameraman as well as an in-studio cameraman. Danny was the first cameraman in Denver, Co to shoot the news in color. 

Danny had many, many, great and memorable moments working at Channel 7. Including but not limited to: When Pope John Paul II came to Denver, Co for World Youth Day in August of 1993, Danny had the distinct privilege of running the main camera at the Mass Pope John Paul II celebrated at the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception. His work was shared to news organizations across the globe. Danny worked the Jerry Lewis telethon that Channel 7 broadcasted over Labor Day weekend to support MDA for years. During one of the telethons, the poster child Lonny Del Real asked Danny for his autograph, it meant the world to Danny. A picture of Danny and Lonny hung in Danny’s home for years. He received many letters of accommodation and numerous letters from Denver Public Schools, thanking him for teaching students his craft. He also got to meet many actors, singers and politicians such as President Gerald Ford, President Lyndon B Johnson, President Jimmy Carter and President Ronald Reagan. Danny had the privilege of meeting Martin Luther King and Martin Luther King Jr. 

Danny was so thankful for the many friendships he was blessed with working at Channel 7 for 40 years. Most importantly, Danny met his bride, Loretta, working at Channel 7. They were married just shy of 62 years. They had 2 children, 2 grandchildren and 2 great grandchildren. Danny loved his family. He missed his siblings terribly after they passed away. He had many nieces, nephews and cousins that he adored. 

Danny had the luck of the Irish, especially when it came to the wonderful friends he had. He loved to tell jokes, play golf, bowl, play baseball, fish (especially near Buena Vista), watch the Denver Broncos, Notre Dame Football and the Colorado Rockies Baseball. 

He was loved and is missed dearly.

Those who wish may make memorial gifts to Shield 616, 13395 Voyager Pkwy., Suite 130, Colorado Springs, CO 80921 719-345-2442 or to TeamRubicomUSA.org, 5230 Pacific Concourse Dr., Suite 200, Los Angeles, CA 90045 310-640-8787.