Rev. Daniel J. Hartigan, O.S.A. (1917-2017)

February 17 is the anniversary of the death of Rev. Daniel J. Hartigan, OSA.

Daniel Joseph Hartigan was born June 15, 1917 in Boston, Massachusetts to David F. and Julia Hartigan.  He was Baptized June 17, 1917 at St. Vincent Catholic Church, South Boston, Massachusetts.  He received the Sacrament of Confirmation October 16, 1929 at St. Augustine Catholic Church, South Boston.

Daniel graduated in 1934 from Boston Trade School, Boston. He worked for two years as a printer.  In 1936 he entered the Augustinian program of formation at Augustinian Academy, Staten Island, New York, where he studied Latin for one year.

He was received into the Augustinian Novitiate September 9, 1937.  He professed temporary vows in the Order of St. Augustine September 10, 1938 and solemn (permanent) vows September 10, 1941.  He earned a B.A. in Philosophy from Villanova College, Villanova, Pennsylvania, in 1942.  He then pursued theological studies at Augustinian College, Washington, D.C., receiving an M.A. in 1946.  He was ordained a Priest May 22, 1945. 

Father Hartigan earned in 1946 an M.S. in Mathematics from Catholic University of America, Washington.  He earned an M.Ed. from Loyola University, Chicago, Illinois, in 1959 and an Ed. D. from Loyola in 1962. He did additionalstudies in Psychology at Loyola University.

He was assigned in 1946 to St. Rita High School, Chicago, as a Teacher.  When Mendel Catholic High School, Chicago, opened its doors in 1951, Father Hartigan was assigned as a member of its original faculty.

In 1960 he was transferred to Tolentine College, Olympia Fields, Illinois, as a Teacher and Counselor.  At the same time he was named Superintendent of Schools for the Augustinian Secondary School system.  From 1963 to 1968, while continuing to serve as Superintendent, Father Hartigan was Principal of Mendel Catholic High School, Chicago.  He served as Prior of Mendel Monastery, Chicago, from 1968 to 1974.  He was inducted into the Mendel Hall of Fame in 2001.

Father Hartigan became a Certified Alcoholism Counselor and a Registered Psychologist in the State of Illinois. Beginning in 1974, he was employed by the City of Chicago, Department of Health,  Bureau of Mental Health, first as a Clinical Psychologist, and from 1976 to 1993 as Psychologist and Director of the city’s Mid-South Mental Health Center.  During these years he resided at Mendel Monastery, Chicago, until 1988, then at St. Rita Monastery, Chicago (1988-93).

He retired from the Bureau of Mental Health in 1993, and resided at St. Clare of Montefalco Catholic Parish, Chicago, where he also was Prior (1993-2002).  He moved in 2002 to St. Monica Monastery, Chicago. He was named Prior at St. Monica in 2006, and served in this office until 2010.

He was assigned to St. Nicholas of Tolentine Monastery, Olympia Fields, in April, 2010.  When Bl. Stephen Bellesini Friary was established at Franciscan Village, Lemont, Illinois, in July, 2010, Father Hartigan was assigned there.  This community was formed to provide health care to elder friars while preserving elements of Augustinian community life.

In August, 2014, Bl. Stephen Bellesini Friary moved to Indiana. Father Hartigan was given the option of moving with the Friary community or going to Mercy Circle, a health care facility on Chicago’s South Side.  He chose Mercy Circle in order to be nearer to his close friends.

As he aged, Father Hartigan gradually grew weaker, until he died at Mercy Circle on February 17, 2017. At age 99 years, eight months, he was the eldest Augustinian friar in the United States and Canada.

Father Hartigan is remembered as a faithful, approachable and caring Augustinian.  As an administrator, he was open to trying new things to enhance the learning experiences of his students.

He is buried in the Augustinian plot at Holy Sepulchre Cemetery, Alsip, Illinois.

Memorial gifts to the Midwest Augustinians, 10161 S Longwood Dr, Chicago, IL 60643-2032 or via Secure Online Giving at: http://www.midwestaugustinians.org/donate appreciated. Memorials support the care of elderly and infirm friars, the seminary formation of young friars and the Augustinian Missions in Peru.