ZORZI, Rev. Daniel J., C.S.B.

(1960-2009) – Peacefully, Friday, January 16, 2009 at Princess Margaret Hospital, Toronto, Ontario, surrounded by his family and friend, after a lengthy and courageous battle with cancer, our son, brother and uncle passed from this life to rest forever in the Eternal Life that he preached, taught and devoted his life to here on earth as a Roman Catholic Priest in the Congregation of St. Basil.

Dan will remain forever the cherished son of Ernest and Marlene Zorzi (nee Wierzbicki). Dan will forever be missed by his Brother Chris, wife Sandra, Sister Kelly Boudreau, and husband Vince, all of Sault Ste. Marie. Brother Paul, wife Lisa of Milton, Ontario. His niece and nephews Jordache Boudreau, Matthew Zorzi, Cody Zorzi, Keegan Boudreau all of Sault Ste. Marie and Athena and Nicholas Zorzi of Milton, Ontario will forever miss their Very Special Uncle Dan. Dan is also survived by his aunt Sister Norma Zorzi, CSJ, and his uncle Rino Zorzi both of Sault Ste. Marie. Dan was predeceased by his grandparents, Ines and Ferdinando Zorzi and Violet and Alex Wierzbicki. Dan will be remembered by his many aunts, uncles and cousins. He will be missed by his close friend Matthew Durham, a Basilian Seminarian, the many Basilian and Diocesan Bishops and Priests that he worked with and lived with over the years, he will also be missed by the many friends that he made during his life in Sault Ste. Marie and during his tenures in Windsor, London, Toronto and throughout the world.

During his 48 years with us, Dan accomplished many things. He is a graduate of St. Veronica Separate School and St. Mary's College, Sault Ste. Marie, ON. Fr. Dan earned his B.A. (Honours Psychology) from McMaster University, Hamilton, ON in 1983. He taught high school at St. Charles College, Sudbury for one year before entering the Novitiate of the Congregation of St. Basil in Sugar Land, TX in 1985, and professed vows on August 10, 1986. He was appointed to St. Basil's Seminary in Toronto and earned the M.Div. from the Faculty of Theology, University of St. Michael's College (USMC) in 1989. He was ordained to the priesthood by Rev. Bishop Pappin at Precious Blood Cathedral in Sault Ste. Marie on December 2, 1989 and then served as Priest-Chaplain at St. Thomas More College, Saskatoon, SK from 1989 to 1991. He pursued graduate studies in Canon Law and was awarded the J.C.D. and the Ph.D. by St. Paul University and the University of Ottawa in 1995. From 1995-2000 Fr. Zorzi was Pastor of Assumption Church, Windsor, ON and lectured in Canon Law at Assumption University 1995-1996. Fr. Dan served as President of St. Michael’s College School, Toronto, ON, from 2000 – 2005. His time at St. Mike’s will remain forever as a very “special” time for Fr. Dan and for those that he worked with and touched in so many ways. He also served as President of the St. Michael’s Majors of the Ontario Hockey League and will always remain as their most loyal fan. From 2005-2008 Fr. Zorzi served the Diocese of London, ON in the Office of Canonical Services, Marriage Tribunal, and was also Associate Pastor of St. Peter's Cathedral Basilica in London. He moved to Toronto in the summer of 2008 and began teaching in the Pastoral Department of the Faculty of Theology, USMC while continuing his work with the Marriage Tribunal.

Throughout his battle with cancer one thing that we all took note of was that he never once complained. With all of the treatments and setbacks, the highs and lows that this disease brings to an individual he battled on with a courage and strength that is indescribable. We are so proud of him; he is a model for us all.

Dan always held his family as a main focus in his life and whenever possible wanted us to be together. He often arranged occasions where we could all be together for vacations or dinners, to celebrate Christmas and Easter and family events.

During his final weeks Dan was blessed to be placed in the Palliative Care Unit at Princess Margaret Hospital, the care and attention that he received was second to none. The kindness, compassion, dedication and attention to not only Dan’s needs but also those of our family will always be remembered. We thank each and every one of the Nursing Staff. We extend a special thanks to Dr. Dori Seccareccia, and Dr. Bryson for making Dan’s final days pain free and comfortable and for treating him with dignity and compassion. May God Bless you all, you are very special people. We cannot express enough our thanks to Dan’s friend, colleague and caregiver Matthew Durham for being constantly by his side through the good times and the bad over the past 20 months. To his special lifelong friend Mary Lou Kairiss for her help and support, we thank you.

Dan lost his battle with cancer but won his war. He lives forever in Paradise with His Jesus.

Fr. Dan will be at rest at Precious Blood Cathedral 778 Queen St. E, Sault Ste. Marie, ON, on Wednesday, January 21, 2009 from 6:00pm until 10:00pm. A Celebration of Dan’s Life and the Mass of Christian Burial will be held at Precious Blood Cathedral on Thursday, January 22, 2009 at 11:00am. Dan will be interned in Holy Sepulcher Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Algoma Residential Community Hospice – Sault Ste. Marie, ON or for renovations to the Fr. Dan Zorzi Memorial Hall at St.Veronica Parish.
(Arrangements entrusted to O’Sullivan Donnelly Funeral Home ..759-8456)