1859 – 1926 (April 8)
Daniel James O’Sullivan, son of James Sullivan and Mary Dennis, was born on April 2, 1859, in Greenmount, County Cork, Ireland. When he was still a boy his parents immigrated to Lawrence, Massachusetts, where he received his early education in St. Mary’s parish school. On July 3, 1882, he entered the novitiate at Villanova, Pa., professed first vows on July 4, 1883, and solemn vows on July 5, 1886. According to the records in the province archives, Father Sullivan began using O’Sullivan as his sir name beginning with the signing of his Will & Testament, dated June 15, 1915, and continuing throughout the rest of his life. On November 17, 1886, Daniel was ordained to the priesthood by Archbishop Patrick J. Ryan, in the Cathedral of Saints Peter and Paul in Philadelphia, Pa.
On December 3, 1886, Father O’Sullivan was assigned to St. Augustine Parish, Troy, New York. In 1888, he was assigned to the Augustinian Mission Band and served that ministry for several years, while a member of the Villanova community. In 1890, he was appointed sub-prior at St. Augustine Parish in Philadelphia, Pa., where, in 1894, he became the treasurer. In 1898, Father O’Sullivan was appointed pastor of Our Mother of Consolation Parish in Chestnut Hill, Pa. From 1902 to 1917, he was pastor of St. Paul the Apostle Parish in Mechanicville, New York, where he directed the construction of the new church, encouraging his parishioners with these words. “Let us prepare to build a new church worthy of the God, whose home it is to be, and a fitting monument of faith and zeal of the people of this parish.” Later, Father O’Sullivan looked back on his sixteen years at St. Paul’s parish as most fruitful and enjoyable in his forty years as an Augustinian priest. In 1918, he was selected to be the pastor of St. Mary’s Church, Waterford, New York. In 1922, he was assigned Prior and Pastor of St. Augustine, Troy.
Father O’Sullivan died on April 8, 1926 at the age of 67. The Lawrence newpaper article that announced his passing, said, “His enthusiasm and magnetic personality instilled in those with whom he came in contact a respect and admiration that could not be mistaken.” Prior Provincial Nicholas J. Vasey was the celebrant of the Solemn Requiem Mass which was celebrated in the church of St. Augustine, Troy, New York, in the presence of more than a hundred priests from states including Michigan, Massachusetts, Pennsylvania, New York and the District of Columbia. Sisters of St. Joseph, Sisters of Mercy and the Sisters of Charity were members of the congregation. Several town officials, including the mayor, were present along with the Knights of Columbus and hundreds of parishioners from the surrounding districts. Father John A. McErlain, O.S.A. preached the homily, and interment was in St. John’s Cemetery, Troy.
