In Memory of Daniel McNeal

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he was so cool

*** Posted by corie on 2011-09-11 ***

Dan was such a fine, fine, fine young man. President of his class, honored at his graduation, his classmates thought he would grow up to be President. It was so blessed of him to call both his mother and his father on September 11 to tell them that he had herded everyone else out of the office and was on "his way out of Dodge" right then—about 5 seconds before the second plane hit his tower. How blessed of him to let them hear his dear voice at the last possible moment on earth. My daughter and I were driving downtown to Hopkins that morning, and for some reason I said to her, "Let's say a Rosary as we drive." So we were praying, "Pray for us now and at the hour of our death," at the time the first plane hit. May God use those prayers to comfort someone. May God bless and have mercy on the good soul of dear Dan McNeal and his dear Dad who followed him shortly, but in God's mercy, not 'till after Kathleen was married! And give comfort to his dear family.

*** Posted by Sheila Wharam (mother of one of Dan's Loyola High School friends) on 2010-08-19 ***

Dan and I met at Boston College. During his freshman year, he lived on the floor where one of my friends served as their resident assistant. A year later, I became Dan’s resident assistant during my senior year at BC while he resided in that 8-person suite in Walsh Hall. It was often a lonely existence to be a senior living among all these sophomores, especially on our eighth floor, one of only two in the building with just one RA. Dan, however, provided that constant company and caring presence that could only be fully appreciated with hindsight.

I wish I had a quarter for each of our late-night conversations. What a funny combo--this Reagan-loving Michael-Keaton-like conservative and me, in the throws of my socialization in BC’s school of social work. Only a loving God with a great sense of humor could have ever brought us together. Despite his gift for debate, I gave him a run for his money, and I was one of the few liberals (at the time) that he could never quite figure out.

I remember those debates with fondness. Slowly, the two of us began a friendship. The year was a difficult one for me personally, and that spirit of service that drove Dan’s heart was never far from my doorstep.  I, too, had the privilege of his sharing some of his own fears, frustrations, and heart-wrenching challenges in his life.

One of my favorite memories was the day he handed me my own key to his Dodge Spirit. Funny, that the car he drove had the name “Spirit.” I took the car out on many occasions—-giving me a freedom I had never known. One day, in particular, in the midst of great stress and personal crisis, he allowed me to take the car for an entire week, to travel 3 hours to my closest relatives to find respite and relief. I never forgot that gift.

When I left BC at the end of grad school in 1993, Dan traveled to my home in Berks County, PA to spend time with me. I came to his graduation in 1994, popping in on the Commencement Ball that year, to show my appreciation and affection for the many gifts he had given me. Unfortunately, I have just a few letters over the years that followed.

He really was an angel. Though I was assigned to him in 1991 to be his “caretaker” as his RA, it was he that gifted me with his presence and spirit. The healing that began that year has continued, and I am happily married to my husband and am the mother of 3 beautiful children. My youngest is Daniel—-in his honor, and possesses a spirit that I would swear is the reflection of Dan himself. Though only 3, he has a quality about him that attracts people to him, the way people were so attracted to Dan.

*** Posted by Maleita (Gousie) Olson on 2008-09-11 ***

Thinking of the McNeal family on this (almost) 7-year anniversary of Dan's death. He was a remarkably kind and giving person. I will never forget him.

*** Posted by Carolyn Cutler on 2008-09-10 ***

Your legacy and memory lives on .. We think about you ever day, and baby Danny loves you, always listening to stories and taking after you in every way

*** Posted by Kathleen McNeal Sheeler on 2004-05-15 ***

he was my first friend at gtown.

*** Posted by kim kwiatkowski on 2003-09-11 ***

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