In Memory of Paul Daniel (May 12, 1945 – August 5, 2021)

We offer our condolences to the family and colleagues of the Rev. Paul D. Daniel, who died on August 5, 2021, at the age of 76.

Paul was born on May 13, 1945, in Milford, CT to Alice and Jones Daniel. As a child, he grew up in a moderately observant Jewish household that included his grandparents. After he had his Bar Mitzvah, he dropped any meaningful observance of Jewish rituals. His family lived in various towns in New Jersey until his teen years and settled in Willingboro, NJ. In 1964, he received his Bachelor of Arts with a major in Education and History from Rutgers University, NJ. Following graduation, he tried teaching school but decided that was not the right career for him. He then worked in sales for more than twenty-five years, spending most years as a mortgage loan officer.

In 1968, Paul married Jane over the opposition of both parents. They searched for a church that could accommodate Jane’s Methodist and Paul’s Jewish backgrounds and became Unitarians. Paul maintained a love of his religious heritage and found new and meaningful ways to honor those traditions through his adapted Unitarian Universalist faith. Paul and Jane became active members and lay leaders of the UU Church in Cherry Hill, NJ. Paul volunteered as a Chaplain to the AIDS Coalition of Southern New Jersey, Samaritan Hospice and Cooper Medical Center.

In 1995, Paul moved to Raleigh, NC to become a hospital Chaplain. From there, he realized that his call was truly to ordained parish ministry. Before he could honor his call, he accepted himself as a gay man. The greatest loss along his road was his marriage of almost twenty-five years with Jane, his best friend and confidant, but he never looked back or had any substantial doubts on his decision or his call. He attended the Pacific School of Religion in Berkeley, CA and graduated with his Master of Divinity in 1999. Jane and he remained friendly and co-parented their two sons.

Rev. Daniel was ordained on November 19, 2000, by his home congregation, the Unitarian Universalist Church in Cherry Hill, NJ. He served as an interim minister at James Reeb UU Congregation, Madison, WI from 2000 to 2001. At James Reeb, he addressed diversity in expression of theology, respect for lifestyle differences, compassion, and affirmation. Thereafter, he was called to the UU Congregation of Las Vegas, NV (UUCLV), where he would serve for five years (2001-2006). He was the UUCLV’s first settled minister in fifty-three years. He promoted inspirational and stimulating worship services, and used ritual music, meditation, and readings to promote feelings of spirituality and continuity. He worked with several committees to further the participation of new members within the congregational community and fostered lay leadership and participation in a shared ministry. He served as Worship Committee Chair from 2004-2006.

Rev. Daniel also served the UU Church of the Desert, Rancho Mirage, CA (2006-2009), and the UU Metro Atlanta North Congregation, Roswell, GA (2009-2013). He retired from his active ministry on November 20, 2014. After retirement, he ministered at the UU Fellowship of Pottstown (UUFP), PA (2015-2018). At the UUFP, he conducted teaching sessions for the worship committee, helped facilitate board retreats, and taught UU classes.

As a UU minister Rev. Daniel raised his voice against injustice, spoke out strongly for civil marriage as an issue of social justice and the embodiment of moral, ethic and principles of UU faith. He marched in the Gay Pride Parade with the Interweave float and participated in the MLK parade.

In his spare time, Paul liked spending time with his friends and watching television. He found nature to be an important part of his theology and enjoyed walking and being outdoors. He also enjoyed cultural pursuits including theatre and museums.

Paul is survived by his partner, Richard Kintner (they were to be married on September 11, 2021); his ex-wife, Jane Daniel, and his sons: David Daniel and Peter Daniel; his brothers: Marc Daniel and Alan Daniel, and his sister, Robyn Firth.

A memorial service will be held at the Unitarian Universalist Church in Cherry Hill, 401 Kings Hwy N, Cherry Hill, NJ 08034 (date to be determined).

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the Unitarian Universalist Church in Cherry Hill, 401 Kings Hwy N, Cherry Hill, NJ 08034 or to the UU Congregation of Phoenix, 4027 E Lincoln Dr, Paradise Valley, AZ 85253.
Notes of condolences may be sent to the Unitarian Universalist Church in Cherry Hill, NJ.