Joseph Augustine McDANIEL

08/05/1993 - 06/21/2024

McDANIEL, Joseph Augustine

With broken hearts we announce the sudden passing of our beloved son and brother, Joseph Augustine McDaniel, on Friday, June 21, 2024, in West Vancouver. Survived by his mother T. Oanh (Mary) McDaniel (nee Nguyen), sister Rachael, brother Anthony; his 94-year-old grandmother Tu thi Nguyen in Vietnam, and many aunts, uncles, and cousins. Predeceased by his father Denis McDaniel (2021), grandparents Jack and Alma McDaniel, and grandfather Khoi Dinh Nguyen. Joseph was born August 5, 1993, in Hanoi, Vietnam and was baptized September 2nd, 1993 at Our Lady Queen of the Martyrs Catholic Church. He spent the first two years of his life surrounded with love from his grandparents, aunts, uncles, cousins, Fr. Thomas Aquinas, Xuan Thuy, and Sr. Anne Tam.

In April, 1995 Joseph moved to Vancouver, Canada with his parents, where his father had been born and raised. Early on, Joseph had a love for spending time in the parks near his home in West Van, for reading & learning. After his sister Rachael was born in 1997, he enjoyed many trips to West Van Memorial Library with his mum and little sister. He attended Hollyburn Elementary School from 1998 to 2006 and played baseball with WV Little League during those years. In 2006 his brother Anthony was born. Joseph cherished many picnics, camping trips, and fishing with his family. For high school he attended West Vancouver Secondary and was part of the International Baccalaureate program. During these years he became a member of the West Van Streamkeeper Society and through the mentorship of many good people (especially John Barker) in the organization he became dedicated to protecting salmon habitat in his community, receiving a District award for his service. In 2011 Joseph graduated from WVSS with the Governor General's Award. He then attended De Sales University in Pennsylvania with a full scholarship and graduated in 2014 with the Award for Excellence in Philosophy. While there, Joseph developed life-time friendships with many classmates. After graduation he joined the Oblates of Saint Francis De Sales who taught at the university, and as a seminarian he taught in several Catholic schools in Wilmington and Toledo. He also attended Catholic University of America in Washington, DC. Throughout his life, Joseph devoted much of his time to attending and serving at Mass and liturgical events at St. Anthony's and Christ the Redeemer Parish. During the COVID lockdown, as a seminarian, he devoted his time at Christ the Redeemer parish to planning, leading and editing digital retreats and reflections, participating in the live-stream Masses and liturgies, and helping with fogging and sanitization in the church. His love for God was evident in his humble and attentive manner. It was also expressed through his love for the people whom he met and served, as well as reflected through his spiritual writings published in the De Sales Weekly, Convivium Magazine, and occasionally in the BC Catholic. Joseph returned to his family in West Vancouver in 2020 when his father was critically ill with ALS. Tragically, his father passed away two weeks after his return. He began a new chapter in his life after his father's passing and enrolled in the Fisheries, Wildlife, and Recreation Diploma program at BCIT. He enjoyed his studies and new friendships. His new career took him to Northern BC in the summer of 2023. He completed the program in April, 2024 and was looking forward to beginning his career in the field. Sadly, after his return in 2020, Joseph was diagnosed with a mental illness that he struggled with until the end of his life. Joseph fought against it courageously, as he loved God and loved life. He desired to live well to continue to serve God and His people. Throughout Joseph's short life in this world, he was a loving and caring son and big brother, and a good friend to many. His unwavering faith, even in times of suffering, shone like a beacon to everyone he encountered.

'He will be forever loved and missed.'

We are overwhelmed by the outpouring of love and support that we have received from the parishioners and friends from St. Anthony, Christ the Redeemer and St. Paul parishes, as well as from members of the WV Streamkeepers, from the Oblates of St. Francis De Sales, the Benedictine monks at Westminster Abbey, and many friends here in BC and the US. We are ever thankful to all of you.

A prayer vigil will be held Friday, July 12, 2024 at 7 PM and Mass of Christian Burial with a reception will be celebrated Saturday, July 13, at 10:30 AM at Christ the Redeemer Catholic Church, 599 Keith Road, West Vancouver. Interment to follow at Capilano View Cemetery.

Walkey & Company Funeral Directors 604 738-0006