Daniel J. Prior

FUNERAL HOME

John F. Tierney Funeral Home, Inc.

219 West Center Street

Manchester, Connecticut

Daniel Prior Obituary

Name: Mass of Christian Burial for Daniel J. Prior
Start: 2018-09-08T14:00:00.000Z
Location: Saint James Church

Daniel J. Prior, 46, passed away August 12, 2018 in Tega Cay, SC. Son of the late Thomas J and Lynn M (Varney) Prior, he was born and raised in Manchester, CT and followed his career, residing in Tega Cay, SC for the last fourteen years. Dan graduated from Eastern Connecticut State University in 1993 where he served as class president and found his passion in the media field. He was dedicated to his career as a sports editor and had the honor of receiving the Emmy award for his work. He was an avid NASCAR fan and cherished his time working on NASCAR pieces at Speed Channel and Fox Sports. Dan was a life-long sports enthusiast playing baseball, basketball, and football as a youth and finding comfort on the water and in the peace of fishing. He was also a student of the game of golf enjoying the game throughout his life and sharing many times with his family and friends on courses all along the East coast. Dan was a kind and generous, loyal, sensitive and sentimental soul. He remembered not only your birthday, but all the days that were important to you, Mother's Day, Father's Day, and the days when you had lost someone you loved. Dan thought about others and let them know he was thinking of them. Family was a priority for Dan whether that was his family of origin or the families he created where ever he set down roots. He loved to feel connected, and in the process connected others. Dan struggled in this world, but found comfort in his deep and abiding faith. His family now finds comfort in the knowledge that he is with his Lord and his earthly challenges are over. He leaves behind his brother John and wife Michelle of Coventry and his sister Mary Kozicki of Willington, nieces and nephews Austin, Joshua, Christopher, Matthew, and Amy. Dan also leaves many caring friends and neighbors in the Tega Cay community of South Carolina. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Saturday September 8th at 10:00 AM at Saint James Church 896 Main St. Manchester, CT followed by burial at East Cemetery East Center St. Manchester. The John F. Tierney Funeral Home Manchester, CT has care of the arrangements. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made in Dan's name to the ECSU Foundation, Inc. and sent to the ECSU Foundation at 83 Windham Street, Willimantic, CT 06226 where the Daniel J Prior scholarship will be established, or in Dan's memory to a charity of your choice that supports services for those battling alcoholism in hopes that a piece of Dan's legacy can be assistance for those who fight this disease. For online condolences please visit www.tierneyfuneralhome.com

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Published by Hartford Courant on Sep. 1, 2018.

Memories and Condolences
for Daniel Prior

Sponsored by the family.

4 Entries

Mark B. Moran

March 31, 2024

I grew up with Danny we met each other our first day of Kindergarten in Ms. Kusicks (probably spelled wrong) morning class at St. James School in Manchester and I was always the shy or quiet one while Danny was the outgoing high energy one that would get you involved or he would motivate you with a Dodgeball to the head. Back then we played Dodgeball daily at recess and often in gym. Danny attended many of my early year Birthdays at my house and I went to several at his home. We lived opposite sides of town but got together outside of school a few times a year and even rode our bikes to meet up with friends farther than either of our parents knew but we never caused trouble or got in trouble. We lost connection after 6th Grade when I switched to St. Bridget's and then MHS, while Danny went on to East Catholic. But over the years I still often chatted with him at the Donut shop where he worked and a few times before and after college. I was the President of the Manchester Safe Rides program and made sure he got home safely a few times. Danny always remembered you and would always take a moment and make sure to say Hello if he saw you and I was the same. I was living in NYC when I learned of Danny's untimely passing and was not aware of his struggles. My condolences to his family as I did not make it home for the services. And to Danny I know you are in a loving company of your parents in heaven and May God watch over you and hold you in the palm of his hand until one day when we will meet again.
P.S. I will get your attention watch out for the incoming Dodgeball if God has a sense of humor

Tim & Cheryl Hoops

September 8, 2018

We remember the day we met Danny. Can't say that about many people. On a fall day in the mid-1980s a scruffy, blonde, blue-eyed boy came to a screeching halt on his bike in front of our house. Danny was one of our son's first friends in our new neighborhood. His curiosity and energy made us a little leery of him at first, but we learned very quickly that he was a kind and caring person who was just as much at ease with us as he was with kids his own age. In the many years since that first encounter, we have looked forward to his calls every Christmas and every few months throughout the year, most recently this past spring. We loved him like family and mourn his untimely passing. Danny You mattered to us and we will remember you always.

Sherry Sylvain

September 1, 2018

Danny and i go way back to our mister donut days, i was not only saddened by his loss but shocked. Mary, john michelle and the rest if dannys famiily, are and will continue to be in my families prayers. Rest easy dear friend until we meet again!! ❤Sherry sylvain and family

Melissa Reitano

September 1, 2018

My prayers to the Prior family. Dan was an great friend! We worked together for many years and became very good friends. He was a good man, co-worker, and friend that loved his family and all that he knew. His spirit will always live long...and I say that for the entire FOX Sports family as well.

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