A 1996 graduate of USD, McCusker's family wanted to have the funeral service there, but was denied after church officials received information about him and his businesses.

Joyce Marieb, executive director of the Greater San Diego Business Association, called McCusker, "a great leader and the kind of guy that people love to see because he gives back and is very generous to the community."

"We all know what this is about," Marieb said, who knew McCusker for the past five and a half years. "They [the Catholic Church] claim they've buried other gay people and that it's because of the bar aspect."

A statement released earlier Thursday by Rodrigo Valdivia, chancellor for the Diocese of San Diego, explains the church's actions.

"The facts regarding the business activity of John McCusker were not known by church officials when arrangements were requested for his funeral. When these facts became known the bishop of San Diego concluded that to avoid public scandal Mr. McCusker can't be granted a funeral in a Catholic church or chapel in the Diocese of San Diego."

So what about McCusker would cause a public scandal?

"His business is adult entertainment, which is inconsistent with Catholic teaching" Valdivia said. "People would be scandalized that the church granted a funeral to a person who had this type of business activity."

But, according to Valdivia, the Catholic Church does not consider all bars and clubs "adult entertainment."

"There's a lot of different things that can play into what would make a business activity something that was notoriously against Catholic teaching or not. It would not necessarily be if (the club) was gay or not."

When asked what about McCusker or his business goes against Catholic teaching, Valdivia said he couldn't say, for legal reasons.

"It has nothing to do with his personal life," Valdivia said.

Marieb said she is surprised that the Church doesn't show respect to a man that did so much for the community.

"Everybody loved him, it's a large loss for our community" Marieb said. "You'll see the outpouring of the community at the services."

Marieb also said there will be a community meeting on Monday at the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender Community Center of San Diego to discuss this issue.

McCusker's memorial service is now planned for 11 a.m., March 18 at St. Paul's Cathedral, an Episcopal church.