Bernard Joseph Daney, age 92, of Greenville, Delaware passed away on December 9, 2017 surrounded by family. He was the son of the late Margaret Harkins Daney and Hugh J Daney. Sr.
Bernie graduated from Saint Elizabeth School and Wilmington High School in 1943. Bernie entered the military in October 1943 and served with Infantry Company F of the 28th Infantry Regiment in France and Germany. He fought in the Hurtgen Forest, the Roer River, and met the Russian Army north of Berlin. He was discharged in October 1945 as a Technical Sergeant. He proudly wore the “Combat Infantry Badge” with 3 battle stars and the Bronze Star.
He graduated from Temple University with a Bachelor’s Degree in Accounting in August 1948. He was a member of Phi Kappa Theta fraternity and served as national treasurer of Phi Kappa Theta fraternity from 1952 to 1957. He passed the CPA exam in Delaware and Pennsylvania and headed several large CPA firms in Wilmington from 1953 to 1992. In addition to practicing accounting, he taught taxes and accounting at Goldey Beacom College. As an out-growth of teaching at Goldey Beacom, he was the co-founder of Brandywine College on Route 202 (now Widener University Law School) where he also taught taxes and accounting and was vice president of Administration from 1965 to 1986.
In education, he served as the first chairman of the Board of Directors of St. Mark’s High School for 10 years. He also served on the Board of Directors of Archmere Academy, Salesianum School, and Padua Academy. Three trips were made to Europe as a member of the Accreditation Team of the Delaware Department of Education for Franklin College in Lugano, Switzerland; the American College of Switzerland in Leysin, Switzerland and the American College of Paris in Paris, France. He also served on the accreditation teams for Villa Maria College in Syracuse, New York; and Wesley College in Dover, Delaware. He was a member of Delaware Higher Education Commission, served as director of the Delaware Higher Education Loan Program (guaranteed student loans from 1972-1986) and was a Board member of the United Student Aid Fund in New York from 1975 to1986.
He served as a member of numerous boards including the Financial and Investment Committee of the Catholic Diocese of Wilmington, Financial Committee of St. Joseph on the Brandywine Parish, President of the Sierra Club of Delaware, the Board of Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Delaware for 36 years, the Blood Bank of Delmarva, a Trustee of Christiana Care Hospital, Committee of 100, the Delaware Safety Council, the Delaware Symphony, Therapeutic Riding at Carousel Park (TRAC), the Skating Club of Wilmington, Delaware Savings Bank, the Leukemia Society, a Trustee of the Lawyer’s Fund for Client Protection, Chairman of the Board of Afuture Mutual Fund, the University and Whist Club of Wilmington as Treasurer(1955 to 1965) and President(1965 to 1966) and a member of the Rotary Club of Wilmington. He was a long-time member of the Wilmington Country Club.
Through his many accomplishments in business and education, he became active in the thoroughbred breeding and racing industry. With his wife, they bred over 160 racehorses. In 1983, a homebred, Parfaitement, raced in the Kentucky Derby and Preakness. Another horse, Docent, won the Maryland Million three times, winning the Classic twice. He served as Chairman of the Delaware Thoroughbred Racing Commission (1993-2011), Chairman of the Association of Racing Commissioners International (2007), Board of Directors of Fair Hill Races, Board member and Treasurer of Pennsylvania Horse Breeders Association (1983-2001), and Secretary/Treasurer of the National Racing Compact in Lexington, Kentucky. In 2009 he received a Lifetime Achievement award from the Association of Racing Commissioners International.
In 1987 he was knighted by the Constantinian Order of St. George in Pittsburg, PA. His other honors received were the Pro Ecalesia et Pontifica Medal in 2005 by Pope Benedict XVI, the Catholic Charities Msgr. Thomas J. Reese Award in 2007. His fraternity, Phi Kappa Theta National Fraternity, awarded him the Man of Achievement Award in 1986.
Over the years, he and his wife travelled to Alaska, Hawaii, Bermuda and several trips to France, Germany, Switzerland, England and Italy. Bernie was highly respected by many in the business community as well as the horse industry. He was a devoted and loving husband to his wife of over 60 years. He was a wonderful Dad to his sons with much guidance and love. He was always there as busy as he was.
He is the only person known in the world to have caught a foul ball (bare-handed) in the 1950 World Series, hit a hole-in-one on the 13th hole of the South Course at the Wilmington Country Club and raced a horse in the Kentucky Derby and Preakness.
Bernie is survived by his wife, Arlene, his son B. Christopher and wife Stephanie of Avondale, Pennsylvania, Gregory and wife Liz of Roswell, Georgia, Duane of Ocean Ridge, Florida and Michael and wife Amy of Darlington, Maryland, granddaughters Cassandra and husband Tyler of Mineral, Virginia, Elizabeth of Darlington, Maryland and Eden of Roswell, Georgia, brother-in-law Dr. Donald Gudehus and wife Gloria of Los Altos, California and step-grandsons Corey Fortunato of West Chester, Pennsylvania and Drew Fortunato of Los Angeles California. He is survived by his brother Francis of Wilmington and nieces and nephews in Delaware, Pennsylvania and Arizona. Bernie was preceded in death by his brothers Leo and Hugh and sister Marian of Wilmington.
In lieu of flowers, the family suggests a memorial contribution be made to the Ministry of Caring 115 E. 14th St. Wilmington, Delaware 19801.
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