Daniel Michael Joseph was born on 8th May 1935, in Dunsany, County Meath, Ireland, to Rose and Daniel Donohoe, the fifth child in a family of three sons and three daughters. They moved to Knockmark, near Drumree and very close to the Warrenstown Agricultural College (now Colaiste na bhFiann), so it is not surprising that he found out about the Salesians from an early age. He attended the Culmullen National School until he was fourteen years old, and received a very positive reference from the Principal: "I can state with confidence that he is a boy of more than average intelligence. I can also recommend him as a diligent, trustworthy boy, anxious to assimilate knowledge. He seems to have a vocation, and his keenness will, I am sure, ensure his ultimate success."

He entered the Salesian school in Pallaskenry, Limerick, on 9th October 1949 and studied there as an aspirant until the age of nineteen.

In August 1954 Daniel went to England, to the Salesian Novitiate in Burwash, East Sussex, and made his first profession on 8th September 1955. He spent three years as a philosophy student, first at lngersley Hall, Cheshire and then in Beckford, Worcestershire. He then taught in Beckford for two years and for a further year in Blaisdon, Gloucestershire.
In 1961 he began his study of theology at Melchet Court near Romsey, Hampshire. Unfortunately, the building was seriously damaged by fire and in 1962 he was sent to Turin to continue his studies at the Crocetta Salesian International Institute. There he was ordained to the priesthood on 11th February 1965.

Fr Dan taught in Cowley and Pallaskenry, where he was also Catechist. He was then sent to the Salesian Missionary College in Shrigley, becoming headmaster in 1971. Fr Dan was an excellent teacher but was also prepared to take on the most menial of tasks. He spent many hours with his sleeves rolled up, working in the grounds. This also gave him an opportunity to involve some of the boys who responded well to his patient accompaniment. In 1974, he was transferred to Battersea where he attended St Mary's College, Strawberry Hill, and received a Bachelor of Education degree in 1976. This led to the major part of his teaching career at Salesian College Battersea. He became Head of Religious Education in 1982 and continued teaching there until his retirement in 1997. He was also Catechist in the community.

Fr Dan maintained his links with Ireland, serving as president of the Meath Association of London for a period. In 1984, while home on holiday, he celebrated a Mass commemorating the centenary of the GAA on the Gaelic Football pitch in Drumree (permission having been obtained from the bishop).

In 1998, after a year's sabbatical, Fr Dan embarked on a second career in Salesian parish ministry. He began at St Anne's in Chertsey and although he was there for only three years, he left a lasting impression as curate, chaplain to the local Catholic primary school, and vice Rector in the community.

In 20011 Fr Dan moved to Farnborough, as parish priest in the newly built church of Our Lady Help of Christians. Again, he was greatly loved for his well-prepared homilies, his readiness for hard work and his concern for the parishioners. He was a governor at St Patrick's primary school and celebrated Mass for them, both in the parish church and in the school.

In 2015, at the age of Bo, Fr Dan reluctantly retired from full time parish ministry and moved from the parish house to a room in St John Bosco House. Characteristically, he refused any 'fuss' but the pupils from St Patrick's presented him with a 'Leaver's Certificate' and led the singing of 'Danny Boy'. On 19th October 2015 there was a more formal farewell from the parish with a meal in the Salesian College Hall, attended by over 200 parishioners. He continued to serve the Farnborough community as vice Rector and sacristan, always ready to assist with funerals and the sacrament of reconciliation in the local parish, concelebrating at Masses in the College and helping with supplies in other parishes in the area. The community in Chertsey often invited him to their Evenings of Recollection so that he could hear confessions. He also found time to take part in pilgrimages to Medjugorje, Fatima and Rome.

Things became more difficult for Fr Dan in 2019 when he began to suffer from various medical conditions, involving stays in hospital and operations. Most frustrating was a reduction of function in his wrists, making it difficult to hold and lift objects. The following year he was also treated for heart problems. Despite these, he continued with supplies and other ministry as far as he could.

In March 2022, Fr Dan, in common with the rest of the Farnborough community, contracted the COVID virus. At first he appeared to make a good recovery, but he began to experience increasing breathlessness. On 4th July he was taken to hospital and tests revealed further problems with his heart. He returned from hospital on 27th July but continued to feel tired and breathless. By 20th August, his condition warranted a return to hospital, where he died, sooner than expected, two days later, on the Feast of Our Lady, Mother and Queen.

Messages of condolence reflected Fr Dan's special qualities: 'a great worker for the kingdom', 'a wonderful confessor, and generous and devoted Salesian', 'exceptionally kind', 'a good friend', 'always a tremendous support ... a wonderful example to all of us', 'universally regarded as honourable and trustworthy', 'a role model as a Salesian priest', 'a lovely man'.

The funeral Mass was celebrated in the parish church of Our Lady Help of Christians, on 15th September, the feast of Our Lady of Sorrows, with Fr Gerry Briody, our Provincial, presiding. Relatives from England and Ireland were present, with many parishioners from Farnborough and Chertsey, past pupils from Battersea and Salesians from other houses. He was laid to rest in Ship Lane cemetery with those Salesians who had gone to the Lord before him.

May he rest in peace!

Fr Patrick Sherlock SDB