The Rev. Daniel Gerald Dempski, O.S.B., 55, a beloved monk, priest and educator at Saint Anselm College for the past 30 years, died unexpectedly in the Abbey church while preparing for vespers on Saturday, May 19, only hours after participating in the college’s 114th annual commencement exercises.
Father Daniel, who served his Benedictine confreres and students on both coasts, recovered much of his mobility and speech following a stroke seven years ago. He had been in the midst of work on his doctoral dissertation in medieval English at The Catholic University of America in Washington, D.C., at the time of the stroke. Despite his health challenges, Father Daniel retained the robust sense of humor and energy which endeared him to students, faculty, staff and alumni over the years.
During recent years, Father Daniel would often visit humanities, medieval English and journalism classes to speak about both his studies and his recovery.
“This past semester, he visited my medieval literature class,” said Professor Elona K. Lucas of the English department, “and participated in a discussion on ‘The Dream of the Rood’ poem. He had such intense interest and love.” She added that Father Daniel’s acceptance of his disability with “such grace and humility” seemed to be “an example of what Saint Benedict describes in the Rule.”
Professor James McGhee of the theology department added, “Daniel made Saint Anselm a home for people, not just an institution, both before and after his stroke. He never gave up on life. Never. He made such a contribution to people’s lives both in the monastery and in the college community.”
His wife, Mary McGhee, a vocational counselor with Southern New Hampshire Services Inc., said, “Our biggest concern is how to tell our grown children. Father Daniel would come, in full bishop’s regalia, every Dec. 6, the feast of Saint Nicholas, to visit them. He would envelop them with his arms and booming voice whenever he saw us at the abbey. He would always encourage them as students. Daniel was very much part of our family – and so many others.”
During his years at Saint Anselm, Father Daniel served as a residence director, a lecturer and seminar leader in the humanities program, an instructor in computer science and later in English, and director of the Office of Campus Ministry. He also was director of the college’s Parents’ Association, moderator of the lacrosse club and several campus fraternities.
In addition, he served twice at Woodside Priory School, a private preparatory school operated by the Benedictines of Saint Anselm in Portola Valley, Calif. At Woodside, Daniel was vocation director, an English teacher and yearbook adviser, chair of the computer science department and treasurer. He was at Woodside from 1975 to 1976, when he arrived as one of the original group of Manchester monks to be assigned on the West Coast after Saint Anselm assumed control of the monastic foundation and school, and again from 1985 to 1991.
In addition to formal work assignments, Father Daniel was accomplished in calligraphy, medieval heraldry and Gregorian chant. Eclectic and enthusiastic in his interests, he was an expert on bells and bell-ringing. Instrumental in securing three large bells for the tower in Alumni Hall at Saint Anselm, Father Daniel is featured in the 2007 Fall/Winter issue of the college’s Portraits magazine. The bell tower at Woodside’s chapel is named in his honor. He was an ardent Red Sox fan.
The third child of A. Lillian (Horgan) and Andrew H. Dempski, he was born Gerald B. Dempski on Nov. 14, 1951, in Haverhill, Mass. A member of Saint James Church, Haverhill, he was educated in parish schools and was graduated from the former Saint James High School in 1969.
At Saint James, he was a class officer, a delegate to the 1968 Massachusetts Boys’ State and a member of student government and the glee club, as well as a school correspondent for The Haverhill Gazette. He taught religious education, was involved in the Catholic Youth Organization, won the Ford Future Scientist Award at the Massachusetts State Science Fair and was published in a national poetry and essay volume.
In college, Father Daniel, a dean’s list student for four years, was a member of the Big Brothers, the college chorus, the Oblates of Saint Benedict and was listed in Who’s Who among American College and University Students.
Following undergraduate studies, he entered the monastery at Saint Anselm in 1973.
He pronounced his simple vows on June 29, 1974, and made his solemn vows, or lifetime commitment, on July 11, 1978, the Solemnity of Saint Benedict. Following his seminary studies, he was ordained a deacon on Oct. 2, 1978, and then was ordained to the Roman Catholic priesthood by the Most Rev. Odore Gendron, D.D. at Saint Anselm Abbey Church on May 26, 1979.
Father Daniel received his B.A. degree in English from Saint Anselm in 1973. In 1983, he was awarded a master of science degree in computer science from what is now known as the University of Massachusetts, Lowell. He received a master of divinity degree in theology from Saint John’s Seminary, Boston, in 1990, on the basis of his studies in there in the 1970s and subsequent ministry. While a doctoral student at Catholic University, Father Daniel spent a year of research at Saint Benet’s Hall, the Benedictine house at Oxford University in England.
He was a member of the National Council of Teachers of English, the New Hampshire Association of Teachers of English, the Boston Computer Society, the Association Computing Machinery and Institute of Electrical and Electronic Engineers.
Besides his many monastic and educational assignments, Father Daniel often provided assistance at Our Lady of the Lakes Parish, Lakeport, and Saint Raphael Parish, Manchester and other parisheds throughout the diocese of Manchester.
In addition to his monastic confreres, Father Daniel leaves two sisters, Helen Ober of Indiatlantic, Fla., and Alice Hawksworth of Amesbury, Mass., and a brother, Andrew “Bud” Dempski of Fremont, N.H., as well as many nieces and nephews.
Members of the Benedictine community will receive Father Daniel’s body Tuesday, May 22, 2007 during noon prayer at 12 p.m. at Saint Anselm Abbey Church, after which visitors may pay their respects until 9 p.m. Bishop Joseph J. Gerry, O.S.B. will celebrate a Liturgy of Christian Burial in the abbey church on Wednesday, May 23, at 11 a.m., while Abbot Matthew will deliver the homily and preside at the burial service which will follow in Saint Leander’s Cemetery, adjacent to the monastery on campus. Arrangements are being handled by Lambert's Funeral Home.
Donations may be made in Father Daniel's memory to Saint Anselm College and sent to College Advancement, 100 Saint Anselm Drive, Manchester, N.H., 03102.