The burial of Davy Daniels, former Mayor of Waterford, Viewmount Park, and formerly of St. Alphonsus Road, Waterford who died 10th January has taken place this morning. A guard of honour from Waterford council welcomed Davy’s remains into the church and honoured him as a united body of staff, councillors, and executives.
Beloved husband of Mary and much-loved father of Liam and David. He is sadly missed by his sister Mary, his grandchildren Rachael, David, Jordan, Dennis, Sarah, David Óg and Stephanie, daughters-in-law Gwenfron and Patricia, extended family, his fellow councillors current and prior, relatives, neighbours and friends.
At the church of St. Joseph and Benildus, Fr. Power paid tribute to “one of Waterford’s most beloved citizens.”
Childhood
Davy Daniels was raised in the family home on St. Alphonsus Road in Waterford city with his mother Maisie and his father Jimmy. It was a deeply happy home, as his son Liam recalled, it was peppered with brushes with the law as Davy helped himself to some tasty apples from the local orchard as a child and broke a window with a stray football. Yet, Davy’s natural way with people meant he was never in trouble for long.
His natural way with people meant the most fortuitous, chance meeting of his life was to be one of the happiest, and that was when he met his wife, Mary. Across the ballroom of The Grand Hotel in Tramore, they locked eyes and a love grew which was to last a lifetime. Mary and Davy loved one another with an undeniable strength and she would be his support throughout his personal and political life.
Speaking at the funeral service, his son Liam recalled how their home in Viewpoint gradually became an open house for children all around the area, so welcoming and warm was the feeling therein.
While the people of Waterford knew Davy as a man of principled politics, of deep religious faith, and a man who loved his career in the Munster Express, at home, he was a husband and a dad. As Liam said: We shared him with you.”
Life of Davy
Davy had very few vices, according to his family, but one was definitely his penchant for a little flutter in BoyleSports or Paddy Power where he would pop in for a bet and a vote. Every opportunity to meet people was an opportunity to meet them on a common level, to hear about what mattered to them, and to actually listen to the answer- it was also an opportunity to canvass a vote.
Fr. Power remembers Davy as a man who was well known to every residents’ association, regardless of ward or constituency, a man who watched the progression of Waterford and lobbyed tirelessly for its betterment, because he could always see the bigger picture. It was this, Fr. Power believes is the reason why Davy never failed to top the polls in local politics, because he cared deeply for the issues which affected Waterford and her people, from flowerbeds to education, to cardiac care.
Symbols of Davy’s life were brought to the altar, including a Waterford flag, a football, a photo of Waterford winning the FAI cup in 1980, a photo of the People’s Park, and a photo of his cattle. These were the pleasure in Davy’s life and symbolised the things which mattered deeply to him. All were centred around family and Waterford- his two biggest loves.
In his lifetime, Davy played proudly for Bolton, Bohemians, Tramore and Red Star, Waterford. While Davy seemed to score in every match, Liam recalls the greatest sporting moment for Davy being in 1980, when Brian Gardiner scored. Davy jumped so high that he hit his head off the stand and "nearly knocked himself out. "
Davy’s cattle in Garrarus were known by name, and affectionately checked on regularly, as referenced by Cllr. Lola O’Sullivan during the special meeting of the Plenary Council. It was not just his cattle, but his grandchildren that he checked on repeatedly, whether it was an update on their education, their life or just to see them, he maintained strong family bonds from their first breath until his last.
Development of Waterford
It has been commented by many that Waterford will never see the likes of Davy again, and there is something to be said for that. First elected in 1974, Davy was instrumental in the rejuvenation of the People’s Park, in the upgrading of WIT to SETU, and in Waterford’s battle for cardiac care. He fought these issues with every fibre of his being because he saw a future for his grandchildren, a future for the people of Waterford and he was never afraid to stand up and say what needed to happen. He sat on the board of UCC, of UCD, of St. John of God's and many more, because he wanted to know what was happening in his area and how Waterford could grow by looking to the efforts of others.
Speaking to WLR, CEO of Michael Walsh said Davy was a man who found the elusive line between respectful and demanding, he knew exactly what his constituents wanted and needed, and he was never afraid to apply pressure to ensure it happened. In all of his dealings both professionally and personally, he was never less than respectful and communicative.
Every councillor who passed through the doors of city hall benefitted from Davy's experience, wisdom, kindness, and sense of understanding. Political walls fall down when speaking with Davy one on one and it became about helping the person to join in the single goal of helping Waterford.
Fr. Power used to word ‘accessible’ to describe Davy, someone who was armed with notes and a listening ear if you needed something done. The room downstairs in his home in Viewpoint was always open to people who needed to see Davy, and the door was never closed on anyone.
Fellow councillor, Mary Roche noted that an empty seat would be in Council chambers, while Fr. Power noted an empty seat would also be in church, a sunlight absence of Davy.
Tributes
While tributes continue to flow in in memory of Davy, one common observation was noted across the sea of tributes- ‘Davy never failed to ask how people are, how their family are, and to genuinely listen to the answer. He was a gentle giant, with a welcoming smile, truly the father of Waterford.”
Speaking to the packed church, Liam quoted the lyrics of a popular song when he said: “Life is a journey, who knows when it ends. Yes, and if you need to know the measure of a man, you simply count his friends.”
He added, “The people of Waterford and beyond were his friends. Go home to Maisie, Jimmy and Ted, your job is done here, we will love you forever.”
WLR sends sincere condolences to the late Davy Daniels and remembers his fondly.
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