Obituary of Daniel Rossiter O'Connell

Daniel Rossiter O’Connell left us on August 19, 2025, at age 72. He died in Antigonish, his birthplace to which he had returned in recent years.

He is predeceased by his wife, Mary Jane White, his parents, Brian and Jean O’Connell and siblings Michael, Eileen, Peggy and Mary Kathleen. He leaves his children, Katie (Mack Jamieson) and Sean (Ashley McGinnis), grandchildren Kaleb, Keagan and Keira, sisters Colleen (Jim Lovett) and Caroline (Ray Noe), many much-loved nieces and nephews, as well as his loving partner Carole Gillies.

Dan taught school early in his career, worked in public relations (channeling our dad on occasion) and then found his calling in journalism, working in television news at CBC. Dan always brought his gift for storytelling to his work. As a student teacher, he wrote and sang “The Ballad of Louis Riel” to his students. As a journalist he covered Canada’s tainted blood scandal and received an Atlantic Journalism Award for his work on that story. He was one of the first reporters on site at the Westray Mine Disaster; and after the terror attacks of September 11, he interviewed stranded passengers sleeping on cots in school gyms across Halifax. In a lighter moment, he spoke with a child psychologist about the mental health of Winnie the Pooh’s fictional friends. In all his stories, he gave voice to his subjects and honored their lived experiences.

The fortunate few occasionally heard his voice as he played guitar and sang for years with the shockingly still undiscovered band “The Wandering Minds.” His love of all things Dylan was perhaps only eclipsed by his love of a good roast beef. But what we who love him best remember always is his humour - astute, political, sly, often profane, always filled with wordplay and wonder at the foolish world we inhabit together.

Family will receive friends on Sunday, August 31 from 2-4 at the Antigonish Legion, 75 St. Ninian St. Antigonish. Bring your best Dan story to share. If you are not able to join us, open the New York Times Crossword, pour a cup of tea, get a date square, and fill those boxes in his honour.