Father Daniel S. Spychala, a retired diocesan priest who served at multiple parishes, died July 15 at Virginia Hospital Center in Arlington.
“Father Dan Spychala was not only my classmate, but also a very close friend and confidante,” said Msgr. William P. Saunders, pastor of St. Agnes Church in Arlington. “He was a hard worker, who had initiative and took charge.
“We shared many joyful adventures, including crossing the Atlantic on the Queen Mary II, flying on the British Concorde, motoring around Yellowstone, the Appalachian trail, the Natchez Trace, Britain, and many more places. He was always up for a good adventure,” Msgr. Saunders said. “He had a great sense of humor: he could have you laughing on the Titanic as it was sinking.”
Father Spychala was born Dec. 18, 1956, in Gary, W.Va. He graduated from Wakefield High School in Arlington in 1975 and American University in Washington before entering Mount St. Mary’s Seminary in Emmitsburg, Md.
His diaconate assignment was at Holy Family Church in Dale City. He was part of the first class ordained by Bishop John R. Keating May 12, 1984. He served as parochial vicar of Nativity Catholic Church in Burke, 1984; St. Michael Church in Annandale, 1985; and St. John the Beloved Church in McLean, 1989.
Father Spychala was pastor of Sacred Heart of Jesus Church in Winchester from 1993 to 1998, when he was named administrator of St. Philip Church in Falls Church. He served at St. Philip Church until 2002 when he moved to St. Ambrose Church in Annandale. While in residence at St. Ambrose, he was assistant chaplain at Fairfax Hospital.
In 2006, he was named parochial vicar of St. Theresa Church in Ashburn where he served until 2013. He was then sent to St. Lawrence Church in Alexandria where he served as parochial vicar for eight years. In 2021, Father Spychala was appointed full-time to the diocesan tribunal, serving until his retirement in 2024.
A member of the Equestrian Order of the Knights of the Holy Sepulcher, Father Spychala was also a spiritual director of the International Federation of Catholic Alumnae and was active in the Knights of Columbus and Scouting.
“He was very caring,” said Msgr. Saunders. “I remember him staying with me for two weeks when I had to have emergency surgery in Italy, giving up the tour we were on. In all, he was a good priest who faithfully served the Lord. May he rest in peace.”
Father Spychala’s Mass of Christian Burial will be July 24 at the Cathedral of St. Thomas More in Arlington at 10:30 a.m.
