Daniel Sweeney was born on September 18‚ 1986‚ to David and Marian Sweeney. He attended St. Cecilia Grade School where‚ during his eighth grade graduation ceremony‚ he was named Altar Server of the Year.

Dan attended Bishop McDevitt High School in Wyncote‚ Pennsylvania. He had a strong‚ beautiful singing voice which led to him getting involved in the school musical plays. His roles included Prince Charming in Cinderella and the Cowardly Lion in the Wizard of Oz.

Dan also worked throughout high school at a local bakery. At his high school graduation in June 2005‚ Daniel was awarded the Gold Medal in social studies. He received a substantial scholarship to Duquesne University in Pittsburgh‚ Pennsylvania‚ but decided after the first day of classes that he did not want to attend college. So he came home and became an EMT. He wanted to become a police officer‚ but he had just missed the test day‚ so he took the test for firefighter.

Dan entered the Philadelphia Fire Department in July 2006‚ just a few months short of his twentieth birthday. Upon graduation from the fire academy he was appointed to Engine 64‚ but transferred to Ladder 10 in the Kensington section of Philadelphia after six months. He found his niche there‚ making many new friends. During this time Daniel also completed his paramedic training at Jefferson Hospital and began working as a paramedic at stations in Bucks County. He received two unit citations in his six years at Ladder 10.

In the early morning of April 9th‚ the day after Easter‚ Daniel’s company was dispatched to a five-alarm warehouse fire. The fire was declared under control at 5:30 A.M. At 6:00 A.M.‚ Ladder 10 was ordered to check for fire in a furniture store adjacent to the warehouse. Part of the warehouse wall had collapsed; part of the wall loomed 60 foot above the furniture store. While Dan’s company was checking the furniture store‚ unaware of the free-standing wall‚ the wall collapsed on top of the furniture store‚ killing Dan and his lieutenant instantly. Though Dan was posthumously promoted to lieutenant‚ he was a career firefighter‚ and that’s the way he would want to be remembered.

Daniel is known for his sense of humor‚ his family loyalty‚ his strong work ethic‚ and straightforward moral values. He is so missed by his mom and dad; his older sister‚ Suzanne Swedlige; younger sisters‚ Sarah and Deborah; his girlfriend‚ Kristen; his brother-in-law‚ Dave Swedlige; and his niece and godchild‚ Stacey Swedlige.

We love you so much‚ Dan!