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Rev. Dr. Daniel Robert Defassio

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The Rev. Dr. Daniel Robert Defassio, beloved pastor, husband, father, grandfather, brother, and friend entered the church triumphant on January 22, 2021, age 63.
Daniel was born in New Kensington, PA on November 11, 1957. He is a proud alum of Valparaiso University, Lutheran School of Theology at Chicago, and Aquinas Institute of Theology where he received his Doctorate in Homiletics. He was ordained in 1983 and served in parishes and as a police chaplain for almost 38 years. He has served parishes in Wisconsin, Pennsylvania, and Arizona. He married the love of his life, Suzy, on July 21, 1979 and together they created a most excellent family: Rachel, Danielle, Elijah, and Jacob.
Daniel was passionately devoted to caring for God’s people in any way he could and truly lived the words of Jesus, “love one another,” as best he could. Being together with family playing games, telling stories, and laughing were paramount to his happiness. Daniel was an incredible story-teller, an avid collector of antiquities and artifacts, an Eagle Scout, a magician (Order of Merlin within the IBM), a Master Chaplain in the International Conference of Police Chaplains, a member of the Heard Guild, and an all-around amazing human being.
Daniel is preceded in death by his father John, mother Gertrude, sister-in-law Sharon, niece Nina, and a heavenly host of aunts, uncles, grandparents, and mentors. He is survived by his wife Sue, four children, Rachel (Sam), Danielle, Elijah (Danelle), and Jacob (Tess), his brother John and sister Karen, 5 grandchildren Damian, Lena, Winter, Amora, and Gus, nieces and nephews Tammy, Brian, Craig, Leslie, and Kara, and many other wonderful family and friends.
A memorial service will be held at a future date at Shepherd of the Desert Lutheran Church, Sun City, Arizona. Please share stories, memories, and love with his family and friends here: https://sites.google.com/view/inmemory-revdrdanielrdefassio/home Or through Menke Funeral Home. In lieu of flowers, please donate to a charity or non-profit to honor his memory.
Three non-profits that Daniel was passionate about are Shepherd of the Desert Lutheran Church (Sun City, AZ http://shepherdofthedesertelca.org/give/), Navajo Evangelical Lutheran Mission (Rock Point, AZ https://www.nelm.org/support-the-mission.html), and Lutherlyn (Prospect, PA  https://www.lutherlyn.com/support/)
Condolences may be shared at www.menkefuneralhome.com