USNR (Ret) Cdr. Daniel McGuinness

Daniel Leo McGuinness was a family man. He fiercely loved those that were close to him, be it family or friends, and took it upon himself to take care of those he knew. He was a man of great merit, always working hard and never giving up on something.

It was a year that would go down in history, the rosy-eyed view of the world would soon come to an abrupt end, giving way to a time of desperation. No longer were flapper fashions and speakeasies the talk of the day; now it was the stock market crash and the oncoming great depression. The world of Daniel and Marguerite (Hanley) McGuinness had one bright spot, though. This was, of course, the birth of their only child, Daniel, on February 16, 1929.

The family lived in Providence, Rhode Island. Dan graduated from LaSalle Academy in 1946. He went on to graduate from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) with a bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering in 1950. He received an MBA at Boston University.

After Dan finished school, he enlisted in the United States Navy and achieved the rank of Commander in the Naval Reserves before the end of his military career. He is a veteran of the Korean War era, serving on the USS Kula Gulf , and was associated with the Seabees.

Dan married Margaret Mary "Peggy" Coleman in 1952. They had four daughters, Margaret, Sue, Judith and Kathleen. Peggy died in 1967after a brief illness.

Dan married Cecile Marie (CeCe) Sequin Gabriel in 1969. Dan and CeCe, his daughters, and her son, Rick McGuinness, became a family.

The family moved to Kalamazoo, MI in 1979. Dan worked as Director of Purchasing at National Water Lift, and later started his own manufacturer’s rep business, Greenwich Associates, Inc. For a short time, he worked with CeCe at Jaqua Realtors.

Dan was a member of the American Legion Post 207 and was their first Adjutant. He was also a member of St. Catherine of Siena Church. Other memberships included the alumni associations of La Salle Academy and MIT, the Beacon Club of Portage, and the University Club of Providence.

Dan was spontaneous and loved to laugh. He also got great pleasure out of making someone else laugh, and he simply enjoyed life.

Daniel died June 20, 2008.

He is preceded in death by his first wife Margaret Mary (Coleman) McGuinness, and daughter, Kathleen. His family includes Wife CeCe, Children: Margaret (William Shipley) McGuinness, of PA, Sue (Shane) Bellavance, of MA, Judith (Ricky Lee) Duda, of CT, Rick (Daria Chobey) McGuinness, TX, 10 grandchildren: Tad, Kevin, Shanen, Braedon, Jennifer, John, Avery, Hanna, Will, and Erin.

To learn more about Dan’s life, friends may spend time with his family Monday from 4-7 p.m. at the Life Story Funeral Home, Portage Chapel, 5975 Lovers Lane. A Scripture Service will be held at the funeral home Monday at 6:30 p.m. A Mass of Christian Burial will follow on Tuesday, June 24, 2008 at 11 AM from the St. Catherine of Siena Church with Father Kevin Covert officiating. Daniel will be buried with military honors at the Fort Custer National Cemetery on Tuesday at 2 p.m.

Please visit Daniel’s personal memory page at www.lifestorynet.com where you can archive a favorite memory or photo, sign his guest book, or make a memorial donation to the Michigan Rehab Center for the Blind.