Daniel Finbar Dwyer

Daniel Finbar Dwyer, a longtime Wakefield resident, died on Saturday, May 16, 2026, at the age of 91. Born in Somerville on November 10, 1934, he was the son of the late Timothy and Hannah (Daly) Dwyer, immigrants from County Cork, Ireland. He was the beloved husband of the late Rosemary (Twomey) Dwyer, with whom he shared 48 years of marriage.

A graduate of Somerville High School, Dan proudly served in the U.S. Army for two years. Through the G.I. Bill, he attended Boston University, earning both his bachelor’s and master’s degrees in Education. He devoted more than thirty-five years to Somerville Public Schools, spending most of his career at Somerville High School as a popular social studies teacher, guidance counselor, vice principal, and yearbook advisor, and serving as president of the Somerville Teachers Union. He also worked for several years at First National Stores in Somerville.

Dan made his home in Wakefield for many years and was a devoted parishioner of St. Joseph Church. Deeply committed to civic life, he was active in numerous community organizations, including the Scholarship Foundation of Wakefield, St. Joseph’s Boosters, the St. Vincent de Paul Society, the Knights of Columbus, where he held an honorary life membership, and the Retired Men’s Club. He was also a regular attendee at Wakefield Town Meeting.

An avid sports fan, Dan rarely missed his children’s athletic events and was a constant presence on the sidelines. In later years, he especially enjoyed cheering on his grandchildren at their many games and activities. He was also a loyal supporter of the Boston University Terriers men's hockey team.

Dan took great pride in his Irish heritage and traveled to Ireland nearly every summer to visit family and experience the country’s history and culture. He also loved hosting his Irish cousins when they came to Boston. A lifelong reader with a keen interest in history, politics, and current events, Dan most cherished time spent with family and friends.

Dan is survived by his children: Kevin and Jackie Dwyer of Washington, DC; Kathleen and Chris Driscoll of Middleton; Taighe and Nancy Dwyer of Cohasset; Sean and Melissa Dwyer of Danville, CA; Meaghan and Anthony Ryan of Savannah, GA; and Cara and Ray Johnson of Belmont. He was the brother of the late Eleanor Crowley; Catherine O’Sullivan and her late husband, Timothy, of Natick; the late Ann Burchill and her late husband, John; and Geraldine Dunlap and her husband, James, of Northboro. He was the brother-in-law of Maurice A. Twomey, Jr. and his wife, Ann, of Lynnfield; Donald Twomey of Lynn; and Carole Trahant and her husband, Leo, of Danville, NH. He was the devoted uncle of many nieces and nephews.

He also leaves behind his cherished grandchildren: Brendan, Ian, Molly, Colin, Cait, Taighe, Brynn, Ceili, Padraig, Mairead, Cian, Eloise, Finbarr, Aine, and Fiona, all of whom will miss their Grampa dearly.

Dan’s funeral will be held from McDonald Funeral Home, 19 Yale Ave., Wakefield, on Wednesday, May 20 from 9-11 a.m., followed by a Funeral Mass at St. Joseph Church, 173 Albion St., Wakefield, at 11:30 a.m. Interment will follow at Forest Glade Cemetery in Wakefield. In lieu of flowers, gifts may be made to the Scholarship Foundation of Wakefield (https://tsfofwakefield.org/).