Daniel Francis Minahan

Daniel Francis Minahan passed away on Monday, November 20, 2023 in Providence, Rhode Island. He was 93. Born December 3, 1929 in Orange, New Jersey, Dan was the son of Alfred and Katherine (née Kelly) Minahan, and grew up surrounded by a large family of builders, teachers and public servants.

After graduating magna cum laude from his beloved University of Notre Dame in 1951, Dan served in the United States Marine Corps and then moved to Waterbury, Connecticut to take employment with the Uniroyal Corporation. His aunt, the city clerk in Waterbury, introduced him to Mary Jean Gaffney, the daughter of a prominent judge, and Dan and Jean were married in 1953. They had two sons, Daniel, born in 1955, and John, born in 1956. While working full-time, Dan attended the University of Connecticut law school at night, earning his JD degree while also beginning to build a highly successful career in business. That career would take him from Waterbury to New York City to California and finally back to New York City, where he spent several decades in senior executive positions in the electronics industry while residing with his family in Southport, Connecticut.

In the course of traveling for work, Dan visited many countries on virtually every continent but always had a special place in his heart for Ireland, and he took great pride in telling the stories of his ancestors who had come from there to America. Dan was also a graduate of the Harvard Business School’s advanced management program, and served as a board member for various organizations and institutions, including the International Boys Club and Fairfield University. After retiring in 1992, he kept busy with many favorite activities: taking long walks in every season, going out for Italian food with Jean, reading history, watching classic movies, monitoring the stock market, and following the ups and downs of Notre Dame football.

Recently, he and Jean relocated to Rhode Island to be closer to family. Like those who had known him for years, the new friends he made there will long remember his sharp mind, his dry wit, and his great generosity. Dan was predeceased by his wife Jean and by their son Daniel as well as Daniel’s wife Martha; he is survived by his son John and John’s wife Carol; by his grandchildren Danny Minahan and his wife Debra, Katherine Chatt and her husband Allen, Sean Minahan and his wife Elizabeth, and Brendan Minahan; and by his great grandchildren John and Emily.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10 AM on Saturday, Dec. 9 at St. Pius V Church, 240 Eaton Street, Providence, RI. Interment will be private.