With great sorrow we announce the peaceful passing of Rev. Daniel Allan MacInnis, aged 94, on June 7, 2025 at the MacGillivray Guest Home. Born in Frenchvale on July 12, 1930, He was the son of the late Angus and Margaret (Morrison) MacInnis.
Rev. Dan graduated from Sydney Academy in June of 1949 and would enter St. Francis Xavier University of that same year. From university he entered Holy Heart Seminary and was eventually ordained by the late Bishop John R. MacDonald on May 26, 1956 at St. Ninian Cathedral in Antigonish. His first appointment was to Mount Carmel Parish in New Waterford for 5 years beginning in 1956 until 1961 when he was appointed to the staff of St. Lawrence College in Quebec. In 1962 he returned to the diocese with an appointment to St. Mary’s in East Bay. In September of 1962 he was appointed to Our Lady of Lourdes Parish in Stellarton. In June of 1965 he was appointed to St. Margaret’s Parish on West Bay Road and in November of 1968 was appointed to St. Leo’s in Glace Bay. In November of 1971 he was appointed to St. Joseph Parish in Bras d ‘or. He was appointed to Holy Redeemer in Sydney in 1984 and finally to Holy Rosary in Westmount in June of 1993.
In addition to his pastoral appointments, he served as Dean of Northside and Victoria Deanery, served on the senate of priests, the board of directors of St. Joseph’s Society, the Board of Governors of St. Francis Xavier University, along with a number of diocesan committees. He was involved in many community projects throughout the years, taking special pride in his instrumental role in fostering cooperative housing developments in New Waterford and other locations in and around Cape Breton County and the CBRM.
In his spare time, Rev. Dan was an avid golfer and long-time member of Lingan Golf Club. He was also a faithful Toronto Blue Jay fan, enjoying a game on television whenever an opportunity would allow. He was a kind hearted man who always made time for family and friends, to lend a hand or to lend a supportive ear or word. He will be missed greatly.
Rev. Dan is survived by his brother, Lauchie (Frances) of Frenchvale, and his sisters, Theresa (Alex) Dowie of Sydney, and Rita (Donnie) MacDonald of East Bay. He is further survived by many nieces and nephews, along with many grand-nieces and grand-nephews.
Besides his parents, Rev. Dan was predeceased by his brothers – John A. (Muriel), Martin (Theresa), Michael (Christina) and Hugh (Cecilia), as well as sisters – Margaret (Hugh) Campbell, Anne (Jerome) Deleski, and Mary Anne (Stephen) MacIssac.
The family would like to extend special gratitude to niece, Rita MacQueen, for all she has done when we needed her most, as well as to the entire staff of MacGillivray Guest Home for their compassionate guidance in our time of need.
Mass of Christian was June 11, with The Most Reverend Wayne Kirkpatrick, Bishop of Antigonish, celebrating the Mass with clergy from the Diocese of Antigonish concelebrating. Interment in St. Mary’s Cemetery in Frenchvale.