Local Government TV

▼

Thursday, September 14, 2017

Huge Crowd Sez Goodbye to Dan McNeill

One of the things I like to do is give an accurate figure of how many people are at an event. But there is no way I can tell you for sure how many people attended the three-hour viewing for State Rep. Dan McNeill last night in Whitehall Township at Faith Evangelical Lutheran Church. All I can say is that it was a big crowd for a big man who really cared about the less fortunate.

I stood in line for 1 1/2 hours and heard several stories about how Danny, long before he was a State Rep, would reach out and help people in need. Usually, it involved him diving into his own pocket. Many of you knew him longer and better than I, but for some reason, he and I instantly clicked.

He was the first public official in Pa. to really draw attention to our heroin epidemic.

Dan's passing was a shock to everyone, including Dan's wife, Jeanne. But I think she really appreciated those of you who came and offered condolences.

While waiting in line, I snapped this photo of a picture from his football-playing days at Dieruff High School. He looked badass even then. But that was a cover.

One of Dan's political foes, David Molony, stood in line to pay his respects.

I don't know if this is true, but Governor Tom Wolf is rumored to have been among those who offered Jeanne their condolences.

There will be a second viewing today at 10 am, with funeral services at 11 am.

It's supposed to rain today, and according to Irish legend, that means Danny has already passed through the gates of heaven.
at

6 comments:

  1. AnonymousSeptember 14, 2017 at 6:19 AM

    I stood in the line for an hour, they opened the doors early and started taking people in a little after 5, we miss you Danny

    ReplyDelete
  2. AnonymousSeptember 14, 2017 at 9:34 AM

    Danny was a gentile giant, whose heart was as big as him.
    THERE WAS MANY A DAY WHEN HE REACHED INTO HIS POCKET AND GAVE SOMEONE LESS FORTUNATE THAN HIM AND IN NEED MONEY.
    Yes,Governor Wolf and LT.Governor Stack were there last night.
    People remember you on how you treated them in life and then in death the people return the treatment back to you.
    Last night it showed how wonderful a man he was by ALL the people who showed up to pay their respect to him and his entire family.
    Today will be a difficult day for many of us, when we say our final good bye to DANNY.
    I for one will truly miss him. He showed me how to go through life not taking any guff from people , but always respecting people.
    He was the brother I never had.
    REST IN PEACE DANNY.

    ReplyDelete
  3. Bernie O'HareSeptember 14, 2017 at 10:10 AM

    Thanks for your comment about Danny.

    ReplyDelete
  4. Paul FiskeSeptember 14, 2017 at 10:12 AM

    To 9:34am
    That was a wonderful Tribute to Danny!! I knew Danny over the years He used to attend our loosely held meetings early in morning at Jerry's Place 545 Ham. Allentown, in beginning years of the 2000's.
    Big Bluff, loud mouth, Gentle Giant. Who truly loved this Valley.
    And I echo the sentiments of all here, with again: "Rest in Peace" Danny!!

    "The Old Allentown Curmudgeon" Paul Fiske

    ReplyDelete
  5. AnonymousSeptember 14, 2017 at 10:12 AM

    Our lawmakers should honor Danny by naming a bill after him that devotes resources to treating and preventing opioid addiction.

    He was a good, good man with a huge heart.

    ReplyDelete

You own views are appreciated, especially if they differ from mine. But remember, commenting is a privilege, not a right. I will delete personal attacks or off-topic remarks at my discretion. Comments that play into the tribalism that has consumed this nation will be declined. So will comments alleging voter fraud unless backed up by concrete evidence. If you attack someone personally, I expect you to identify yourself. I will delete criticisms of my comment policy, vulgarities, cut-and-paste jobs from other sources and any suggestion of violence towards anyone. I will also delete sweeping generalizations about mainstream parties or ideologies, i.e. identity politics. My decisions on these matters are made on a case by case basis, and may be affected by my mood that day, my access to the blog at the time the comment was made or other information that isn’t readily apparent.