Mark Dan Moriarty

It is with great sadness that the family of Mark Dan Moriarty (“Cha Cha”) announce his death on April 10, 2025.

Dan was born September 30, 1937, in Casper, Wy., to Virginia McDowell Moriarty and Mark Francis Moriarty, the first of three children born to that union. He attended grade school at Saint Anthony’s and graduated from Natrona County High School in 1955. He graduated with Phi Beta Kappa honors from the University of Wyoming in 1959, with a degree in History and Political Science.

Immediately following his graduation from college, Dan began teaching at a local high school in Casper, but his heart yearned to explore the world. He was awarded a scholarship to attend law school at University of California-Berkeley, an opportunity that would allow Dan to begin his lifelong journey of exploration. He decided that practicing law was not his passion and switched gears by enrolling in a graduate degree program in International Relations and Business at the Thunderbird School of Global Management in Glendale, Ariz.

With a fresh degree in hand, and a strong feeling of wanderlust, Dan drove across the country to New York City to pursue his dreams, surviving on his wit, grit, and budget-friendly streetside hot dogs! This experience would lead to a first job with a pharmaceutical company, followed by a transfer to Catholic Relief Services, which sent him abroad to live in Quito, Ecuador. This first overseas assignment would mark a milestone in Dan’s career and initiate a series of international adventures lasting through his retirement!

In 1966, he married Genoveva (“Beba”) Mora Jacome, in Quito, Ecuador, beginning what would become a true love story. Dan’s life was centered in family, and marrying Genoveva would expand his family to a large contingent in Ecuador. Dan mastered the Spanish language and become fully integrated into the Ecuadorean family. He and Beba would go on to spend years in Quito, where he forged strong relationships with countless in-laws and the Ecuadorean people. It was here, while showing-off his dance skills, that he earned his nickname “Cha Cha!”

Dan and Beba raised three sons, Sean, Mike, and Dan. His work as Country Program Director for Catholic Relief Services, as well as with the World Council of Credit Unions, establishing credit unions in developing countries, took him and the family all over the world.  At one time, he said that he had either travelled or worked in over 82 countries. Dan’s work was meaningful to him and reflected his Catholic faith, as it involved tackling food insecurity, expanding access to potable water and sanitation, infrastructure improvement, and community strengthening. In retirement, he joined forces with his wife Beba and became a Spanish medical interpreter in Madison area hospitals and clinics. He relished the opportunity to remain connected to the local Latino immigrant population and serve their health needs.  

Dan was a great tease- especially with his sister, Kathy, with whom he had great affection.  Their deep bond was further strengthened with the unexpected passing of their middle brother at the age of 19.  Dan enjoyed many lifelong friendships, which were especially important to him over the years. His children, however, were his greatest pride. He delighted in their frequent visits, calls, and ongoing help, especially during the last years of his life.

In the last decades of his life, the selfless care and devotion of his wife helped Dan endure various health struggles and further united them in their deep love for each other. They enjoyed annual travels to Andalucia, Spain to escape the Wisconsin winter with long walks and longer lunches, tapas, vinitos and carejillos.

His was a life well lived:  he loved deeply and was deeply loved in return.  He will be remembered for his great love of family, his deep faith, his commitment to people in need, and his ability to bring joy to those around him.  He will be sorely missed.  

Dan was succeeded in death by his parents, Mark and Virginia Moriarty; and his brother, Mike Moriarty. He is survived by his wife, Genoveva; three sons, Sean of El Paredon Guatemala, Mike and Pilar of San Rafael, Cali., and Dan and Catriona of Sarasota, Fla.;  two grandchildren, Gabriela and Luca; and his sister, Kathy Moriarty of Torrington, Wy.

The family invites you to attend a Memorial Mass at QUEEN OF APOSTLES PARISH AT SAINT DENNIS CHURCH, 505 Dempsey Road, Madison, at 3 p.m. on Sunday, April 27, 2025. A light luncheon to remember and celebrate Dan will follow.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that you remember those in need by supporting a favorite charity or cause, especially during these challenging times. Online condolences may be made at www.gundersonfh.com.

Gunderson East

Funeral & Cremation Care

5203 Monona Drive

(608) 221-5420