Obituary of Daniel J. Prior

Daniel J. Prior, 46, passed away August 12, 2018 in Tega Cay, SC.  Son of the late Thomas J and Lynn M (Varney) Prior, he was born and raised in Manchester, CT and followed his career, residing in Tega Cay, SC for the last fourteen years.

Dan graduated from Eastern Connecticut State University in 1993 where he served as class president and found his passion in the media field.  He was dedicated to his career as a sports editor and had the honor of receiving the Emmy award for his work. He was an avid NASCAR fan and cherished his time working on NASCAR pieces at Speed Channel and Fox Sports. 

Dan was a life-long sports enthusiast playing baseball, basketball, and football as a youth and finding comfort on the water and in the peace of fishing.  He was also a student of the game of golf enjoying the game throughout his life and sharing many times with his family and friends on courses all along the East coast.

Dan was a kind and generous, loyal, sensitive and sentimental soul. He remembered not only your birthday, but all the days that were important to you, Mother’s Day, Father’s Day, and the days when you had lost someone you loved. Dan thought about others and let them know he was thinking of them.

Family was a priority for Dan whether that was his family of origin or the families he created where ever he set down roots. He loved to feel connected, and in the process connected others. 

Dan struggled in this world, but found comfort in his deep and abiding faith. His family now finds comfort in the knowledge that he is with his Lord and his earthly challenges are over. 

He leaves behind his brother John and wife Michelle of Coventry and his sister Mary Kozicki of Willington, nieces and nephews Austin, Joshua, Christopher, Matthew, and Amy. Dan also leaves many caring friends and neighbors in the Tega Cay community of South Carolina. 

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Saturday September 8^th at 10:00 AM at Saint James Church 896 Main St. Manchester, CT followed by burial at East Cemetery East Center St. Manchester. The John F. Tierney Funeral Home Manchester, CT has care of the arrangements. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made in Dan’s name to the ECSU Foundation, Inc. and sent to the ECSU Foundation at 83 Windham Street, Willimantic, CT 06226 where the Daniel J Prior scholarship will be established, or in Dan’s memory to a charity of your choice that supports services for those battling alcoholism in hopes that a piece of Dan’s legacy can be assistance for those who fight this disease. For online condolences please visit www.tierneyfuneralhome.com