Daniel A. Sloan

Daniel A. Sloan, 81, of Lititz, passed away peacefully Thursday, Feb. 1, 2024.

He was born in the Bronx, New York City, on a sunny Easter Day in 1942. Dan's parents, Anna Dohmann Sloan and John Sloan were active in the labor movement and in the New York Democratic party. Dan graduated from Cardinal Hayes High School in 1959 and Cathedral College in 1961. He received a Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of Houston in 1964.

He served in the U.S. Peace Corps (1964 to 1966) in Jamaica, West Indies. Following graduate studies at the University of Pittsburgh, he served in the 25th Infantry Division in the Republic of South Vietnam and received the Combat Infantryman's Badge, Army Commendation Medal and the Bronze Star and was honorably discharged with the rank of Sergeant. He received an M.P.A. from the University of Pittsburgh in 1972.

Dan was employed as director of development at the Pennsylvania Housing Finance Agency and vice president for rental housing at the Connecticut Housing Finance Authority.

Ordained a deacon for the Archdiocese of Hartford, Conn., Dan served at Our Lady of Mt. Carmel parish in Waterbury, Conn., subsequently appointed as a full-time prison chaplain at a maximum-security prison in Niantic, Connecticut. Upon relocating to Pennsylvania, he worked as a deacon in the Scranton Diocese at Sacred Heart/St. Joseph parish in Plains Twp. and Corpus Christi parish in West Pittston as well as providing volunteer service at several Pennsylvania prisons.

Dan was married in 1973 to Linda Metts and was blessed with three daughters, Meghan, Kerry and Erin, who are married to Brian Hill, Dan Yager and A.M. Rycroft respectively. He loved his daughters and their spouses dearly and was constantly amazed at their accomplishments and their care for all people. They have distinguished themselves in the fields of planning, creative and technical writing, internet security, nutrition and senior management.

Dan and Linda were supporters of several organizations: the Southern Poverty Law Center, Human Rights Campaign, Disabled American Veterans (of which he was a life member) and the Catholic Worker movement. Dan and Linda first met Tom and Monica Cornell of the Catholic Worker in Connecticut and were greatly inspired by their lives and continued to maintain a friendship with them and their family.

Dan met his wife Linda over 50 years ago in Pittsburgh, where they worked for the federal government. Later, she taught at both the high school and college level, recognized by the University of Connecticut Alumni Association for excellence in high school teaching. Dan and Linda shared many interests including gardening, politics, travel and assisting organizations that addressed discrimination, hunger and homelessness. Over their years of marriage, their love intensified as they experienced the challenges of daily life with hope and expectation.

Dan received dual citizenship from the Republic of Ireland in 2018 for which he was profoundly honored. Dan's great-grandfather migrated from Ireland in the mid-19th century and served in the Union Army during the Civil War.

Dan in his life valued kindness as his highest goal. He believed in the importance of diversity and respect for all people regardless of race, sex, religious affiliation, economic status or sexual orientation. He believed the highest goal of government was to bring its citizens together, to eliminate division and to assist those in need. Lastly, he believed God's Holy Spirit resides in all human beings.

Dan is survived by his wife, Linda Metts Sloa; daughters, Meghan Sloan and spouse, Brian Hill; Kerry Sloan and spouse, Dan Yager; and Erin Sloan and spouse, A.M. Rycroft.

He was preceded in death by his grandparents; parents, Anna Dohmann Sloan and John Sloan; and several aunts, uncles and cousins.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11 a.m. Thursday in St. James Catholic Church, 505 Woodcrest Ave, Lititz. Guests will be received beginning at 10:30 a.m. Interment will immediately follow in Indiantown Gap National Cemetery.

Memorial gifts may be made to the Disabled American Veterans, P.O. Box 14301, Cincinnati, OH 45250-0301; or the Catholic Worker, 36 East First Street, New York, NY 10003.

To leave a condolence, visit SnyderFuneralHome.com.