Monsignor Rudolph August Daz, Jr.

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Monsignor Rudolph August Daz, Jr.

April 17, 1928 ~ May 18, 2024

A beloved pastor and friend, Monsignor Rudolph August Daz, Jr.  passed away Saturday, May 18, 2024 at the age of 96 at Saint Joseph Villa, Salt Lake City, where he has been in retirement since 2011, and in recent weeks on hospice care.  

Monsignor Daz was born in Ogden, Utah on April 17, 1928, the son of Rudolf August Daz, Sr. and Edith Diersanti. He attended Madison and Saint Joseph elementary schools, Saint Joseph High School and Ogden High School, graduating in 1944.  He attended college at Saint Mary’s, Moraga, California and St. Joseph College, Mt. View, California, and did his theological training at Saint Patrick Seminary, Menlo Park, California.  

He was ordained to the priesthood by Bishop Joseph L. Federal at Saint Joseph Church, Ogden, on January 24, 1954 for the Diocese of Salt Lake City.  

The first 10 years of his priestly ministry were spent as assistant pastor at the parishes of St. Marguerite (Tooele), Saint Teresa of the Child Jesus (Midvale), Saint Ann (Salt Lake City) and Holy Rosary (Bingham Canyon — now Immaculate Conception, Copperton).

He then served as pastor of Saint Patrick Parish, Eureka, Saint Patrick Parish, Salt Lake City, and then Saint Anthony of Padua, Helper.  During his final years as pastor in Helper, he attended the four-month Vatican II Institute in Oakland, California.

Beginning in February of 1977, Monsignor Daz served for 10 years as pastor of Saint Joseph the Worker Parish, West Jordan and his final assignment for 14 years was as pastor of Saint Olaf Parish, Bountiful. During this time, he spent a three-month sabbatical at the Institute for Continuing Theological Education in Rome, Italy.

He was elevated to Prelate of Honor to his Holiness, with the title of Monsignor, on April 30, 2001.  During his time in Bountiful, he served as dean of the Northern Deanery for three consecutive terms.

Monsignor Daz was a gentle man, a holy man, a faithful servant of the Church, well beloved by both his brother priests and parishioners.

The Vigil will be held on Tuesday, May 28, at 7 p.m., with viewing following at the Cathedral of the Madeleine, 309 E. South Temple, Salt Lake City. The Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Wednesday, May 29, at 11 a.m., also at the cathedral. Committal Rite to follow at Mount Calvary Catholic Cemetery, 275 U St., Salt Lake City. Services are in care of Starks Funeral Parlor, www.starksfuneral.com.