Father Daniel P. Smith,

Pastor of Our Lady of the Angels Parish in Lakewood Ranch, died in his residence on June 19, 2016. He was 52. Born on Sept. 20, 1963 in Lafayette, Ind. to Norton and Beverly (Davis) Smith, "Father Dan" was the youngest of four children. He attended St. Joseph College, Renssalaer, Ind., where he studied accounting and had a brief career as an accountant in Sarasota before discerning a vocation to the priesthood with the Diocese of Venice. As a seminarian Father attended St. Meinard Seminary in Indiana. Ordained to the Priesthood on Oct. 22, 1999, Father Dan served at Incarnation Parish in Sarasota, St. Joseph the Worker Parish in Moore Haven, San Antonio Parish in Port Charlotte, St. John the Evangelist Parish in Naples. He has been at Our Lady of the Angels since 2011. Father Dan was known for his inspiring and relatable homilies that brought Scripture to life while also sharing the relevance of the Word of the Lord in the modern world. Prior to his priestly ordination, Father noted that his experiences in formation led him to want to work on education within the parish. He is survived by his brothers, Davis (Ann) of Manhattan Beach, CA, Paul (Beth) of Jupiter, FL and Peter (Susan) of Summit, NJ and 7 nieces and nephews. A vigil service will be held at Our Lady of the Angels Catholic Church, 12905 E. State Road 70, Lakewood Ranch, on Friday, June 24, from 4-7 p.m. A Mass of Christian Burial will be on Saturday, June 25, at Our Lady of the Angels beginning at 10 a.m. May the soul of our beloved priest Father Daniel P. Smith rest in peace.