Father Daniel Carboy dies at 73

Father Daniel John Carboy, 73, died on August 22, 2013, while receiving hospice care at St. John Neumann Residence at Stella Maris in Timonium, MD.

Father Carboy was born on November 6, 1939. His parents were members of Our Lady of Angels Parish and then Our Lady of Perpetual Help in Brooklyn, NY.

He professed his first vows as a Redemptorist on August 2, 1961, was ordained on June 19, 1966, and died on August 22, 2013—the Memorial of the Queenship of the Blessed Virgin Mary.

He attended high school at St. Mary’s College, the Redemptorist Preparatory Seminary, in North East, PA. When he finished his novitiate year in Ilchester, MD, he went on to complete his theological studies at Mount St. Alphonsus, the Major Seminary in Esopus, NY, where he was ordained.

From 1968 to 1972 he served in parochial ministry at Our Lady of Fatima Parish in Baltimore, in extraordinary preaching ministry at Notre Dame Retreat House in Canandaigua, NY, and then as assistant to the Novice Master in Ilchester, MD.

For the next 20 years he served as an Air Force chaplain in the Archdiocese for the Military Services. In 1992 Father Carboy retired from the Air Force with the rank of Lieutenant Colonel.

He returned to parochial ministry in the Vice-province of Richmond as pastor for six years in Concord, NC, pastor for six years in Sumter, SC, and superior for four years at St. Alphonsus Villa in New Smyrna Beach, FL.

In 2008 he worked for one year in Virginia, but ill health forced his retirement from active ministry and his return to the Villa. He lived in New Smyrna from 2009 until he moved to the St. John Neumann Residence in July 2013.

“He was a good confrere who never caused any tension,” says Fr. Alistair McKay. “He worked for God and followed the teachings of the Church in his preaching and catechesis. He was a good superior who cared for the members of his community and practiced prudent stewardship. He never squandered a penny.”

His frugality was echoed by another confrere and close friend, Fr. Karl Aschmann. “Whenever we traveled by car, he always chose inexpensive places to stay. Motel 6 spokesman Tom Bodett might ‘leave the light on for you,’ but Fr. Dan would certainly shut it off.

“I will miss his joyful spirit most of all. He was always positive, never down in the dumps. And that is a real blessing and welcomed addition to those who live a community life.”

“He was the Socius when I was a novice,” says fellow Redemptorist and military serviceman Fr. Pete Sousa.

“He wasn’t afraid to challenge us, but he also used creative and innovative ways to present spiritual conferences during our novitiate year. Almost 40 years later we were stationed together in Hampton, VA.

“When Fr. Dan suffered a stroke on Palm Sunday in 2009, he worked hard on his rehabilitation, hoping he could return to ministry. Retiring was very difficult for him, but he drew the strength he needed from his faith and consistent prayer life, especially with his daily devotion to the rosary.”

“I visited with him the day before he died,” recalls his Vice-provincial superior, Fr. Jerome Chavarria. “He was holding a solid white rosary—the prayer of the sick—in his failing, fragile hands. He took great comfort in his dedication and love for Our Lady, so I can understand why she called him back to her Son on her feast day.”

A memorial service for Father Carboy will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday, Oct. 5, at the Basilica of Our Lady of Perpetual Help in Brooklyn.