Daniel Joseph Wholley

On September 23, 2025 Daniel Wholley was called home to God as the Holy Rosary and Divine Mercy Chaplet were prayed with him. Accompanied and comforted by his beloved ones and by a Catholic priest, absolving words were said over him, and holy oil signed and sealed him in Christ.

Dan is the son of Joseph and Irene (MacDonald) Wholley of Salem. He is the loving husband to Claire and beloved father and father-in-law to Rebecca, Todd, Samuel, Gayle, Matthias, Kasia. He is the loving "Papa" grandfather to Grace, Luke, Teagan, Maeve, Anna, Izabella, and Amelia. He is brother to William, Joseph, Kathleen and John. A sweet and kind man, Dan shared with all people his happy smiles, loving counsel, wise guidance, and Catholic faith.

He was well educated at St. Thomas Elementary School; St. John's Preparatory School '65; Boston College '69, and Salem State College in graduate studies.

For over six decades Dan was constantly employed in helping others in Salem, Massachusetts, as he earned his living and raised his family. He caddied, cut grass, stacked leather, stocked shelves, directed summer camp, aided his elders, hosted, tended bars. He helped countless young people as he coached teams, taught school, counseled and guided students as a guidance counselor, eventually becoming Director of Guidance for the Salem school district and an adjunct professor at Salem State College. He went on, at St. John's Preparatory School Guidance Department in Danvers, to continue to help many more students reach their academic and college goals with his quiet experience and wisdom.

Dan's cheerful encouragement and his kind and helpful generosity endeared him to his family, friends, coworkers, colleagues, students, and their families, by warming their hearts and inspiring smiles.

Later he served further in the St. Vincent de Paul Society, faith formation classes, and in other ways in the Gloucester-Rockport Massachusetts and Vernon-Tolland Connecticut Catholic Communities as a resident and parishioner, Knights of Columbus Fourth Degree member, Saint Joseph Men's Club member, Magnificat Group member, and man of quiet Catholic faith and love.

Let us pray now, and continually, for Daniel Wholley:

"Let perpetual light shine on the soul of Daniel Wholley, O Lord.

May Archangel Michael gather Daniel to You,

and his own angel whisper peace to him.

Embrace Daniel in Your mercy, O Lord.

May Almighty God open the door of Paradise to him and

welcome Daniel into the Light of Your Face.

May Daniel Wholley be granted eternal and contented rest, for the joy of his soul,

in the light of heaven, with God the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit;

with Blessed Mother Mary and St. Joseph, and with all Your holy angels and saints.

We pray this in the name of Jesus Christ, our Lord. Amen."

In lieu of flowers, alms may be offered as a Corporal Work of Mercy In Memory Of any person you choose to receive prayers, by selecting the In Memoriam section tab of this link: https://www.stjosephct.org/donate. Fill in the comment section. Your offering will be noted by the pastor, and used to support and continue efforts at St. Joseph Parish to provide programs, supplies and catechesis. Or dial 860-871-1970 to donate In Memory Of any person you choose.