UNCW's first Catholic Campus Minister died Thursday, funeral planned | Community Spirit

WILMINGTON, NC (WECT) – Reverend Alan J. Dash, a retired priest of the Diocese of Raleigh and sacramental minister for the UNCW Catholic Campus Ministry, died Thursday morning in Wilmington, according to a news release from UNCW.

Fr. Dash, who was born in 1937 in the Bronx in New York, reportedly served in parish ministry in Greenville, North Wilkesboro, Charlotte and Ahoskie. He worked in campus ministry, serving at N.C. State and UNCW, beginning in 1974. He opened a house on the corner of Racine and College Acres drives, becoming the first Catholic Campus Minister at UNCW, in 1986.

UNCW’s current Catholic Campus Minister, Sr. Rosemary McNamara, stated in a news release, “Fr. Al will be missed. We are all better human beings for having known him. We are grateful for his wisdom, love and commitment in guiding young people as they seek their life’s path.”

Funeral arrangements:

• Reception of the body and Vigil for the deceased will take place on Sunday, May 20 at Saint Mark Catholic Church in Wilmington from 7 until 9 p.m.
• Funeral Mass will be celebrated at 10:30 a.m. on Monday, May 21, also at St. Mark
• Committal will be at the parish cemetery at Our Lady of Guadalupe Catholic Church in Newton Grove following the funeral Mass
• A reception in the parish hall will follow

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