1918
Daniel
2015
Daniel David Mccauley
April 17, 1918 — March 24, 2015
HOLDEN – Daniel David McCauley, 96, of Holden, passed away peacefully on March 24, 2015. Dan was born on April 17, 1918 in Grafton, one of 11 children to William and Myra Elva (Elliott) McCauley. His beloved wife of 64 years, Gloria (Castagna) McCauley predeceased him on August, 27, 2014.
He was a proud and highly decorated U.S. Navy veteran of World War II having served as a gunner’s mate on several Landing Crafts and other vessels, including four that were sunk while he was aboard. When asked by a young reporter what he had learned from these multiple tragedies, he famously responded: “Always eat dessert first; you never know when an air raid might start.” He saw action in many of the iconic battles of the war including Oran, Palermo, Salerno, Anzio-Netturo, Iwo Jima, Okinawa, and Leyte Gulf, losing much of his hearing from the gun fire. When presenting him with The Navy and Marine Corps Medal for his actions in saving fellow sailors after a bomb blast at the Port of Anzio, the Secretary of the Navy James Forrestal wrote “His exceptional gallantry in a critical emergency was in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.” He was also awarded a Purple Heart.
After returning from the war, he worked at Holden School Department for 45 years, retiring as Supervisor of Buildings and Grounds in 1991. At his retirement party, State Representative Mary Jane McKenna presented him with a resolution from the Massachusetts House of Representatives thanking him for his “deep interest in the public service” and for reflecting the “highest principles of humanity, charity and love of one’s fellowman”. He also served in the Holden Police Department for 21 years and the Holden Fire Department for 10 years, all the while doing plumbing and oil burner work and building houses in his “time off”. On the rare occasions he wasn’t working, he enjoyed bird and deer hunting.
Dan was extraordinarily dedicated to the youth of Holden. He coached many sports teams, ran sports leagues, organized scholarships, and was one of the founders and builders of the Chaffin Men's Club (now Chaffin Recreation Association). He channeled his Yankee frugality by negotiating to have highway construction debris turned, at no cost to the town of Holden, into the soccer fields that now bear his name at Mt. View School and refurbishing a to-be destroyed wooden basketball court from the old Worcester YMCA to a new life at CRA.
He was a member of the Rufus Putnam Lodge of Masons in Rutland and the Holden Nimrod Club, a Director of the Trowel Club, and a Trustee at Chaffin Congregational Church. He was honored numerous times for his community service, including awards from The Exchange Club (Book of Golden Deeds), the Junior Olympics, the Grange, Chaffin School (memorial sundial), Holden Democratic Committee (Good Neighbor), and the Holden Women’s Club (Citizen of the Year).
Dan is survived by his sons, Gary W. McCauley of Andover and Dean McCauley of Marin County, CA; his nieces, Patricia Bradley of Anaheim, CA, Sharon Godin of New Brunswick, Canada and his nephew, Larry Pierce of Holden, all of whom Gloria and Dan raised after their mother’s passing; eight grandchildren; a great-grandchild; many nieces, nephews, grand-nieces and grand-nephews; and four siblings, Cecil McCauley of Worcester, Donald McCauley, of Holden, Kenneth McCauley of Hubbardston and Helen Breault of Templeton. He was predeceased by three sisters, Ruth McGuire, Agnes Riccardi and Bess Norris, and three brothers, Robert, William and Winfred McCauley.
Dan’s family would like to thank the caring staff of Dodge Park Rest Home who made Dan, Gloria and their family comfortable in their final years.
Relatives and friends are invited to visit with Dan’s family from 2-4 p.m. on Saturday, March 28, at Miles Funeral Home, 1158 Main Street (Rte. 122A), Holden. A service celebrating Dan’s life will be held immediately after the calling hours at 4 p.m. in the funeral home. In lieu of flowers, donations in his memory may be made to the Alzheimer’s Association, 480 Pleasant Street, Watertown, MA 02472, or www.alz.org ; or to the CRA (Training Facility), P.O. Box 117, Holden, MA 01520. To share a memory of Dan or leave his family an online condolence, please "Sign the Guestbook" on this page.
He was a proud and highly decorated U.S. Navy veteran of World War II having served as a gunner’s mate on several Landing Crafts and other vessels, including four that were sunk while he was aboard. When asked by a young reporter what he had learned from these multiple tragedies, he famously responded: “Always eat dessert first; you never know when an air raid might start.” He saw action in many of the iconic battles of the war including Oran, Palermo, Salerno, Anzio-Netturo, Iwo Jima, Okinawa, and Leyte Gulf, losing much of his hearing from the gun fire. When presenting him with The Navy and Marine Corps Medal for his actions in saving fellow sailors after a bomb blast at the Port of Anzio, the Secretary of the Navy James Forrestal wrote “His exceptional gallantry in a critical emergency was in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.” He was also awarded a Purple Heart.
After returning from the war, he worked at Holden School Department for 45 years, retiring as Supervisor of Buildings and Grounds in 1991. At his retirement party, State Representative Mary Jane McKenna presented him with a resolution from the Massachusetts House of Representatives thanking him for his “deep interest in the public service” and for reflecting the “highest principles of humanity, charity and love of one’s fellowman”. He also served in the Holden Police Department for 21 years and the Holden Fire Department for 10 years, all the while doing plumbing and oil burner work and building houses in his “time off”. On the rare occasions he wasn’t working, he enjoyed bird and deer hunting.
Dan was extraordinarily dedicated to the youth of Holden. He coached many sports teams, ran sports leagues, organized scholarships, and was one of the founders and builders of the Chaffin Men's Club (now Chaffin Recreation Association). He channeled his Yankee frugality by negotiating to have highway construction debris turned, at no cost to the town of Holden, into the soccer fields that now bear his name at Mt. View School and refurbishing a to-be destroyed wooden basketball court from the old Worcester YMCA to a new life at CRA.
He was a member of the Rufus Putnam Lodge of Masons in Rutland and the Holden Nimrod Club, a Director of the Trowel Club, and a Trustee at Chaffin Congregational Church. He was honored numerous times for his community service, including awards from The Exchange Club (Book of Golden Deeds), the Junior Olympics, the Grange, Chaffin School (memorial sundial), Holden Democratic Committee (Good Neighbor), and the Holden Women’s Club (Citizen of the Year).
Dan is survived by his sons, Gary W. McCauley of Andover and Dean McCauley of Marin County, CA; his nieces, Patricia Bradley of Anaheim, CA, Sharon Godin of New Brunswick, Canada and his nephew, Larry Pierce of Holden, all of whom Gloria and Dan raised after their mother’s passing; eight grandchildren; a great-grandchild; many nieces, nephews, grand-nieces and grand-nephews; and four siblings, Cecil McCauley of Worcester, Donald McCauley, of Holden, Kenneth McCauley of Hubbardston and Helen Breault of Templeton. He was predeceased by three sisters, Ruth McGuire, Agnes Riccardi and Bess Norris, and three brothers, Robert, William and Winfred McCauley.
Dan’s family would like to thank the caring staff of Dodge Park Rest Home who made Dan, Gloria and their family comfortable in their final years.
Relatives and friends are invited to visit with Dan’s family from 2-4 p.m. on Saturday, March 28, at Miles Funeral Home, 1158 Main Street (Rte. 122A), Holden. A service celebrating Dan’s life will be held immediately after the calling hours at 4 p.m. in the funeral home. In lieu of flowers, donations in his memory may be made to the Alzheimer’s Association, 480 Pleasant Street, Watertown, MA 02472, or www.alz.org ; or to the CRA (Training Facility), P.O. Box 117, Holden, MA 01520. To share a memory of Dan or leave his family an online condolence, please "Sign the Guestbook" on this page.
To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Daniel David Mccauley, please visit our flower store.
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