Msgr. Daniel Joseph McGlynn, 84, passed away on the evening of Jan. 1. He was born in Philadelphia on Nov. 7, 1939, a son of the late John and Alice (McKendry) McGlynn.
He received his early education at the Ascension of Our Lord School and Northeast Catholic High School, Philadelphia. He attended college at Saint Fidelis College, Herman, Pa.; at Saint Joseph’s University, Philadelphia; and at Loyola College, Baltimore. He began studies for the priesthood at Saint Mary’s Seminary and University, Baltimore.
After completion of theological studies there, he was ordained a priest for the Diocese of Wilmington on May 22, 1982, at the Cathedral of Saint Peter by Bishop Thomas J. Mardaga.
He was first assigned as associate pastor to Saint Francis de Sales Church, Salisbury, Md. At this time, he began serving as chaplain to the Little Sisters of Jesus and Mary, Salisbury, a role he continued until his passing.
In 1987, he was transferred as associate pastor to Saint Elizabeth Church, Wilmington. In 1988, he became associate pastor to Immaculate Conception Church, Elkton, Md. In 1991, he was appointed associate pastor to Corpus Christi Church, Elsmere.
In 1993, he was named pastor to Immaculate Conception Church, Elkton. In 2002, he was appointed pastor of Holy Cross Parish, Dover. In 2010, Pope Benedict XVI named him a Chaplain to His Holiness with the title of Monsignor. In 2013, he retired and lived in Dover until his passing, assisting at Holy Cross and other area parishes.
In addition to his parents, Monsignor Dan was predeceased by his siblings, Sheila, John, Charles, and Robert; his sisters-in-law Mary (Sharkey) McGlynn and Bridget (Sharkey) McGlynn; and brother-in-law Joseph V. McGarrity. He is survived by his siblings James McGlynn, Brother Joseph McGlynn, O.F.M.Cap., and Eileen McGarrity; his sisters-in-law Elizabeth (Gilmore) McGlynn and Mary Jo (Gaudioso) McGlynn; and numerous nieces, nephews, and great-nieces and nephews.
Msgr. Dan was in recovery for 52 years. During this time, he sponsored many individuals and served as a spiritual advisor to countless men and women.
He will be missed, especially for his kindness, love for family, care for his parishioners and distinctive laugh.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Thursday, Jan. 11, 1 p.m. at Holy Cross Catholic Church, 631 S. State Street, Dover, with visitation beginning at 10 a.m. Burial will follow at a later date at Washington Crossing National Cemetery, Newtown, Pa. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Holy Cross Church or the Catholic Diocese of Wilmington, 1925 Delaware Avenue, Wilmington, DE 19806.
