Served the diocese for nearly 70 years
Rev. Daniel W. Heintz, 95, passed away peacefully with family members by his side on April 16, 2024 at The Nottingham in Jamesville. He was the son of Daniel and Marion Katherine (Evans), born August 18, 1928.
A native of Our Lady of Lourdes Parish in Utica, Father Heintz attended the parish elementary school and graduated from St. Francis de Sales High School. He studied for the priesthood at St. Andrew’s and St. Bernard’s seminaries in Rochester. He was ordained in June 1954 and would have celebrated his 70th Jubilee this June.
Father Heintz’s ministry in the diocese includes service in a number of parishes, including St. Daniel in Syracuse, St. Mary’s in Jamesville, St. Rose of Lima in North Syracuse, Sacred Heart in Utica, St. Patrick’s in Forestport, St. Mary’s in Otter Lake, St. Patrick’s in Williamstown, St. John’s in Camden, St. Mary’s Church in Rome, St. Malachy in Sherburne, St. Ann’s in Manlius, and St. Patrick’s in Oneida.
Father Heintz served as a chaplain in the United States Army for three years and as a hospital chaplain with the U.S. Army Reserves for 23 years, retiring with the rank of colonel.
He was a member of the diocesan Priests CCD Executive Committee, chaplain to the Utica Police Department and chaplain to the Knights of Columbus Oneida Council #473.
After retiring in 1999, he spent many years ministering at St. Rose of Lima in North Syracuse.
Celebrating his 65th jubilee in 2019, Father Heintz told The Catholic Sun that his longevity could be taken that “Jesus wanted me to be a priest … to be a priest in his honor and to do his work. Wherever I had to go, I went.” He advised young people discerning a vocation to “think about your relationship with God. It’s the most important thing in your whole life.”
A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Thursday, May 23, 2024, at 10:00 a.m. at St. Rose of Lima Church, 407 S. Main Street, North Syracuse. Most Rev. Bishop Emeritus Robert J. Cunningham will be the main celebrant and Bishop Douglas Lucia will concelebrate. Burial will be at Mt. Olivet Cemetery in Whitesboro following the funeral mass. In keeping with Father Heintz’s wishes, there will be no calling hours. In lieu of flowers, contributions in Father’s name may be made to a charity of your choice or to the Roman Catholic Diocese of Syracuse.
