Daniel Joseph McWard
July 21, 1952 - June 16, 2020
Laguna Niguel CA
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Daniel Joseph McWard
July 21, 1952 - June 16, 2020
Laguna Niguel CA
Obituary
Dan McWard passed away at his home in Laguna Niguel, California on Tuesday, June 16th, 2020 with his wife Kathleen, son Terry and fiancé Joyce Abbey by his side. His best friend and Godfather to his son, Terry O’Connell was also with the family. After a long and courageous battle with cancer, Dan is also survived by his brother Pat McWard, niece Kayla and nephew Connor, stepdaughters Heidi (Aaron) and Heather (Alex) and their children Ava, River, Charlie and Lucy. Proud of his Irish heritage, he cherished his large extended family – the McWards – and enjoyed the annual family reunions.
Dan was born in Bloomington, Illinois in 1952. He attended Central Catholic High School and went on to graduate with a Bachelor of Arts degree from St. Ambrose University in Davenport, Iowa. Dan maintained very close relationships with his friends from school throughout his life and was loved by many.
As a Marketing Executive in the Ophthalmic Surgical business for over 30 years, Dan’s companies included Allergan, Johnson & Johnson, Bausch and Lomb, Visiogen and Iolab. Throughout his career, Dan developed strong friendships and relationships that remain to this day. He had a deep Christian faith and was a member of Saddleback Church. Dan was a philanthropist with interests in The Gavin Herbert Eye Institute, St. Joseph Hospital of Orange and WHW in Irvine, among others.
Dan enjoyed travel and visited over 40 countries in his lifetime for business and pleasure. He was an avid runner, enjoyed skiing and golf, but spending time with family and friends was his greatest joy. He was a wonderful husband, father and friend…and handsome to boot! Dan, you will be missed but not forgotten.
Dan will be cremated at O’Connor Mortuary in Laguna Hills. Two celebrations of his life are being planned as circumstances permit: one in Newport Beach, California and one in Chicago, Illinois. Please go on line to oconnormortuary.com/obits/daniel-joseph-mcward/ for updated information. In lieu of flowers, please consider donations to The American Cancer Society.
20 responses to Daniel Joseph McWard
Keith Zinn says:
June 25, 2020
Dan and Kathy came to our family reunion/ 50th wedding anniversary Laura and I enjoyed meeting him at the gatherings. Our hearts go out to Kathy and the family for his loss. Dan won over all who knew him like he did with us, with his warmth and kindness,
Matt & Cecilia Frinzi says:
June 25, 2020
Dan is now with the Angels and he will be missed by his many friends.
Tom and Terri Grob says:
June 25, 2020
We are so saddened to learn of this . What a wonderful man he was, sseking and arranging help for people in our family who were grappling with physical issues while he himself suffered; continuing to be the hands and feet of Christ and putting others needs ahead of his own. Heaven’s gain is our loss. Prayers and so much love for Kathy and his family during this most difficult time.
Marilyn & Frank Pontious says:
June 26, 2020
Marilyn and Frank Pontious
pontious@islc.net
Carole Weber Grantham says:
June 27, 2020
I am so saddened to hear of Dan’s death. What a loss of a nice man. Dan and I went to high school together in Bloomington. He always made us laugh. He was so good natured. It was always nice to know he worked and lived close by. We always said we would meet up with our spouses to have dinner, but it never happened. I talked to him when David Kane was sick. He filled me in about Dave’s illness. He spoke so highly of his family. I am so very sorry for your loss. He was a good man!
(Please let me know when his celebration of life info is set. We will either be here or in Bloomington in the next couple of months. Thanks.)