In Memory of . . . Daniel J. Kane (1959-2015)

The Rev. Daniel Joseph Kane died at home in the arms of his husband on Tuesday, October 6, 2015, at the age of 55.

Daniel was born on December 24, 1959 to James Edward Kane and Nancy Rita Lake Kane. He received a Bachelor of Arts from George Washington University in 1981; a Juris Doctor from University of California, Hastings College of the Law in 1988; and a Master of Divinity from Starr King School for the Ministry in 2008.

Rev. Kane was ordained by the Arlington Street Church of Boston, MA on March 22, 2009. He was called to serve as the Interim Assistant to the Minister at Arlington Street Church from 2008 to 2009. He served as the consulting minister to the Unitarian Universalist Community of Lake County, of Kelseyville, CA, from 2011 to 2013; as Acting President of the Starr King Graduates Association from 2014 to 2015; and as a member of the Starr King Board of Trustees from 2014 to 2015.

Dan volunteered as a child and adult literacy tutor; a pro bono attorney for many organizations including the AIDS Legal Referral Panel; and a supply Protestant chaplain at Napa State Hospital, CA.

Prior to entering the ministry, Dan practiced as a litigation attorney in Oakland, CA and taught legal writing and research to law students. Dan and his husband, Darin, joined the Unitarian Church in Oakland in 1995, and Dan became involved with almost every aspect congregational life, including teaching religious education.

Dan gave up professional pursuits to take on his most important work as a stay-at-home dad—to which he was devoted and he considered the best work of his life. He managed the care of their infant boys and primary school-aged daughter with patience, undying love, and grace.

He loved to travel and together, he and Darin visited many parts of the world and more than half of the U.S. states. He particularly loved Pacific Islands and his family plans to scatter his ashes on one next year.

Reading (children’s and adult literature), cooking and eating, and keeping a home and garden along side Darin were all passions of Dan’s.

Of Dan, Darin writes: “Dan was a bright light in the lives of many.  He touched countless people with his compassionate, generous and loving spirit.  He will be mourned and missed by his entire family, his many friends and all the people he touched through his ministry and the way he lived his life.”

Dan is survived by his husband of twenty-two years, Darin Mikail Jensen and their children Ella James Jensen-Kane, Jack Thomas Jensen-Kane, Maxwell Josiah Jensen-Kane. He is also survived by his sister, Teresa Kane Rennia (Jeff Rennia); father-in-law, Bryant Jensen (Joan Levy); sister-in-law, Andrea Truly Jensen; brother-in-law, Steven Jensen (Gabrielle Savage); and numerous nieces and nephews, and best friends Joan Haratani, Thomas Daniels, and Russ Morgan, as well as the family’s Oakland Brown Dog, Fiona. He is predeceased by his parents, James Edward Kane and Nancy Rita Lake Kane, his mother-in-law, De Ane Cooper Jensen, and brothers-in-law Creyton Jensen and Todd Jensen.

A Celebration of Life will be held at First Unitarian Church of Oakland, CA, on November 14, 2015, at 5pm.

In lieu of flowers, please make donations to Our Family Coalition http://www.ourfamily.org/, an organization that seeks to create an inclusive and just world where all LGBTQ families with children have visibility and opportunities to thrive as valued participants in our schools, institutions, and communities.

Condolences may be sent to the family at 4712 Davenport Avenue, Oakland, CA 94619.

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