Reverend Daniel J. Zak

November 4, 1941 - July 10, 2021

Father Daniel J. Zak, a Roman Catholic priest of the Diocese of Toledo since 1967, passed away in his sleep on July 10, 2021, in Hospice of Northwest Ohio, Toledo, Ohio. He was 79 years old.

He was born on November 4, 1941 to Thaddeus and Adeline (Brzozka) Zak. His parents and twin brother, Dave, pre-deceased him. He is survived by brothers, Jim (Sharon) and Ted (Eileen); along with numerous nieces, nephews and cousins.

Growing up, he attended St. Adalbert Parish and School (1947-1955) and went on to St. Francis de Sales High School (1955-1959). After graduation he attended St. Meinrad Seminary College in Southern Indiana (1959-1963) earning a degree in Philosophy. He also conducted post-graduate studies at Mt. St. Mary's Seminary College in Cincinnati, Ohio (1963-1967) earning a M.A. in Theology, Xavier University in Cincinnati, Ohio (1963-1965) studying Political Science, St. Louis University in St. Louis, Missouri (1966-1967) studying Social Work, Youth in Community and Juvenile Delinquency, and finally the University of Toledo in Toledo, Ohio (1968-1975) earning a Masters in Education/Counseling and Guidance.

As a Diocesan priest, Dan held assignments at St. Clement Church (Toledo), Sts. Peter and Paul Parish (Sandusky), Lima Central Catholic High School (Lima), Associate Director of Vocations Department (Toledo), Diocesan Director of Vocation Department (Toledo), Co-Pastor (with Father Jim Bacik) of Corpus Christi Parish at the University of Toledo (Toledo), Summer Chaplain at Cedar Point Amusement Park (Sandusky), Parish Chaplain at St. Thomas More University Parish (Bowling Green) and finally Pastor at St. Richard Parish (Swanton). On July 1, 2012 Dan was granted Senior Status.

In over 50 years of service, Fr. Zak was also involved in numerous other ministries including: Associate Member of the Sisters of St. Francis Sylvania since 1984, Student Lounge at Corpus Christi University Parish (dedicated in his honor on September 27, 1998), Rotary Club Member – including mission trips (3) to Honduras, Home Repair Ministry – founding member (arm of Maumee Valley Chapter of Habitat for Humanity (2009 to present), Heartbeat – board member (2012 to 2017), Prison Ministry Team – Toledo Correctional Institution and Corrections Center of NW Ohio, The Sophia Center at Lourdes University – counseling and spiritual direction, Christian Leadership Program @ CCUP University of Toledo – counseling and spiritual direction, Christian Appalachian Project – alternative spring break experience repairing and building homes in Kentucky – spent over 25 years coordinating students to attend and then working with them and other college students from all over the country. And the list goes on.

Although never being a smoker, he was diagnosed with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis in 2017. Fr. Zak's condition deteriorated over time requiring him to use supplemental oxygen for the past two years. The last 90 days, he had been in St. Luke's Hospital, Rosary Care Center, Flower Hospital and finally Hospice of Northwest Ohio where he succumbed to his illness.

He will be remembered as a dear friend to everyone who knew him. He officiated at over 320 marriages during his tenure and impacted thousands of college students from around the country particularly those from Bowling Green State University and the University of Toledo. His legacy will be measured by the lives of those whom he touched over these past 50 years.

The receiving ceremony will be held at 2:00 p.m. at Corpus Christi University Parish, 2955 Dorr St., Toledo, Ohio,43607, on Friday, July 16, 2021 with visitation to continue until the time of Vesper Services at 7:00 p.m. Visitation will continue on Saturday, July 17th from 8:00 am to 9:30 a.m. The Funeral Mass will be celebrated on July 17, 2021 at 10:00 a.m., with the Most Reverend Daniel E. Thomas, Bishop of Toledo, as the principal celebrant. Interment Services will follow in Resurrection Cemetery in Toledo, Ohio. The Funeral Mass will be available to watch via Live Stream. Go to ccup.org scroll down and click on the Live Stream link. The family thanks the compassionate care given by St. Luke's Hospital, Rosary Care Center, Flower Hospital and Hospice of Northwest Ohio, and particularly his personal physician and friend, Dr. Stephen P Bazeley M.D.

Memorials may take the form of contributions to the Rev. Daniel J. Zak Trust or to a charity of the donor's choice. Please view and sign our online "guest registry" at CoyleFuneralHome.com.

www.coylefuneralhome.com

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Published by The Blade from Jul. 14 to Jul. 16, 2021.

Memories and Condolences
for Daniel Zak

8 Entries

Jim Nardecchia

August 1, 2021

Father Dan and I met at St. Peter and Paul in Sandusky. Our lives intersected for several years then we lost touch. I have so much respect for the man he was. RIH, you were special.

Father John Jorden

July 25, 2021

Fr. Dan was a good man and a great priest. We first met in the Seminary in Norwood, Ohio. His strength and caring left a lasting impression on me and, I am sure , many others. Requiescat in Pace.

John and Irene Coyle

July 19, 2021

Our condolences to Father Dan´s family. He was a prince of a man and we will miss him dearly.

Mark hummer Indianapolis Indiana

July 16, 2021

I had great memories of mass at tu as both a student and as a community member. I remember he would always end mass by saying have a good week and be good to yourself. In June of 1991 fr zak wrote a letter on my behalf to the priest at Saint ignatius parish in Shanghai saying I was a Catholic in good standing and knew of my work in the Newman club at tu and from helping out at mass. He did this with a generous heart knowing in august of that year I would be flying to Shanghai to meet my pen pal and marry her which I did on sept first of 1991 and this September first and three daughters we will be celebrating our 30th wedding anniversary. And lastly after my wife arrived to ft Wayne where I was working at in 9i less than three months later she began working at the medical college of Ohio hospital in Toledo from 92 to 96. Whenever fr zak saw the two of us at mass he would always say in a commanding voice with a big wide smile "it´s mark of the hummers and his favorite wife." My wife siming to this day still says he has the personality of a king." In conclusion I would like to say "fr zak thank you for the memories and as you stated in the letter you write for me thirty summers ago to the priest in Shanghai ""all good things." Sincerely mark and siming hummer 7917 inishmore way Indianapolis Indiana 46214

MARK NARGES

July 16, 2021

REST NOW MY FRIEND, YOU RAN THE RACE AND WON. SEE YOU WHEN I GET THERE.

Nancy Croy

Planted Trees

Mike Stephany

July 14, 2021

Dan Zak married us in Lima, Ohio on April 4, 1970- we are still together 51+ yrs later/ well done good and faithful servant - RIP

Cathi Williamson Cryan

July 14, 2021

I will never ever forget Fr. Zak! He was at my high school retreat down in Carey Ohio. It was he who helped me find the Holy Spirit. He gave me his phone number, and I remember we talked several times, because I was having a crisis of growing up into an adult. I remember he sent me a little card a few months later, it was out of the blue that he sent it to me, and that just meant the world to me, that he took the time out of his day, to wish my journey with the Holy Spirit to become deeper and more fulfilling. Fr. Zak touched me, when I thought I wasn't reachable. He left a profound impression in my heart. God Bless you Fr. Zak, and thank you for all you have done to help others on their journey of finding our Loving Lord. Sending my sincerest Condolences here to the family. I can only imagine the loss you are feeling. He was a wonderful Servant of Christ.

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