At the age of 95, Larry McGough — a retired owner of McGough Construction in St. Paul — is being honored with The Saint Paul Seminary’s Distinguished Alumni Award.
Briefly
- Larry McGough, at 95, received the Distinguished Alumni Award from The Saint Paul Seminary on Sept. 24, honoring his lifelong commitment to supporting Catholic formation and leadership.
- McGough’s professional legacy includes overseeing the construction of notable Twin Cities landmarks and contributing significantly to Catholic churches and schools through his company, McGough Construction.
- Beyond his professional achievements, McGough’s deep faith and dedication are evident in his ongoing support for the seminary, his role in founding the Catholic Community Foundation of Minnesota, and his daily practices of prayer and reflection.
In 2008, Larry McGough watched from The Saint Paul Seminary courtyard as his company helped erect the statue of St. Paul that overlooks campus. Sept. 24, at the age of 95, he was back at the seminary to receive its honorary Distinguished Alumni Award, a recognition that celebrates both his achievements and support for formation of priests, deacons and lay leaders throughout the Upper Midwest.
“I’m happy to receive [the award],” McGough said. “I have always had very high regard for the seminary.”
Born and raised in a Catholic family with eight brothers and sisters, McGough grew up altar serving for 6:30 a.m. Mass at Nativity of Our Lord in St. Paul — “365 days a year,” according to him. The future future McGough Construction owner’s first job at the Basilica of St. Mary in Minneapolis included manning a hoist and cleaning pigeon manure out of gaps between the columns of the basilica dome.
McGough would go on to lead the company that’s developed some of the most recognizable landmarks in the Twin Cities — including the Ordway Theater, Medtronic headquarters, and General Mills headquarters — and morphed into a national construction brand. McGough Construction also played a key role in constructing or renovating several Catholic Churches and schools across the region, including projects at The Saint Paul Seminary.
McGough’s dedication to the Church extends far beyond his professional contributions, though.
He has been a member of The Saint Paul Seminary Hill Society, a group of loyal supporters who help sustain the work of priestly formation by remembering the seminary in their estate plans or through significant contributions. McGough and his family have also created the McGough Family Fund, an endowed fund that supports the seminary’s ongoing mission to provide integrated, Catholic formation for those called to serve as priests, deacons or lay leaders in their local Church.
“To say we need priests is the understatement of the half-century, I think,” McGough said.
McGough also was a founding board member of the Catholic Community Foundation of Minnesota, an organization that has granted over $250 million to local Catholic nonprofits in its 30 years of existence. The foundation currently manages close to $600 million in assets, ensuring that Catholic education, social services and ministries continue to thrive throughout the state.
A parishioner at St. Rose of Lima in Roseville, McGough also has been a member of the Midway Serra Club, an organization that promotes vocations, and the Knights and Ladies of the Northern Lieutenancy, a group that supports the Christian presence in the Holy Land.
McGough and his late wife, Andrea, were married for 60 years before she passed away in 2016. Together, they raised one daughter, Lynne Malloy, and have two granddaughters and four great-granddaughters.
At 95, McGough’s daily life is still grounded in his faith. In a recent Catholic Spirit interview, he shared that praying the Rosary and completing crossword puzzles are integral to his daily routine in assisted living. He views these practices as sources of peace and reflection, and they serve as reminders of the values that have guided him throughout his life.
Reflecting on his journey, McGough is quick to credit the community that has supported him along the way. “I think the thing that we have to do, which isn’t easy, is try to be grateful,” he told the Catholic Spirit.