Deceased: 2016-04-19
Diocese: CHEYENNE
CSM Graduation Year: 1969
The Funeral Mass for Father Daniel Colibraro will be held Friday, April 22, 2016 at St. Anthony’s Catholic Church, 644 South Center Street, Casper, Wyoming at 2:00 p.m. with Bishop Paul Etienne as celebrant. Military honors will be conducted. Visitation will be held, Thursday, April 21, 2016 from 8:00 AM until 5:00 PM at Bustard’s Funeral Home. A vigil and the rosary will be at 7:00 p.m., today, April 21, 2016 at St. Anthony’s Catholic Church.
Father Daniel Colibraro was born on August 7, 1922 in Casper, Wyoming to Carlo and Felica Colibraro. He died April 19, 2016, in Casper, Wyoming at the age of 93 years.
His parents immigrated to Wyoming from Italy. He attended school in Casper, graduating from Natrona County High School. He went to the University of Wyoming and obtained a degree in Mechanical Engineering. Father Colibraro then went to work for RCA in New Jersey. While in New Jersey, he entered the U.S. Navy on June 16, 1944. After his separation from the Navy on June 3, 1946, he was employed at Los Alamos in Albuquerque, New Mexico. Later, he attended the University of Iowa to pursue a PhD.
He subsequently entered the seminary in Denver, Colorado to study for the priesthood. He was ordained a priest for the Dioceses of Cheyenne in 1956. Daniel studied in Rome at the Cambridge University in England. He taught at St. Thomas Seminary before being assigned at St. Cyril and St. Methodius Church in Rock Springs, Wyoming. Father Dan was later transferred to St. Joseph Parish in Cheyenne. While at St. Joseph, he was also the editor of the Wyoming Catholic Register, the Diocese newspaper.
In 1975, he became the pastor of Our Lady of Fatima Catholic Church in Casper, Wyoming. Father Dan also served as the administrator of the St. Joseph Society, the retirement fund for priests, bishops and deacons for the Diocese of Cheyenne. He retired from parish work in 2000. After his retirement, he thoroughly enjoyed reading. He continued to reside in Casper until his death.
Father Daniel Colibraro is survived by his sister Rose Colibraro (Sister Mary Carlo) of Leavenworth, Kansas and brother Father Pietro Philip Colibraro of Casper.
Memorials in Father Dan’s name may be made to the Central Wyoming Hospice Program, 319 South Wilson Street, Casper, Wyoming 82601 or to the St. Joseph Society for retired priests, 141 South Center Street, Suite 200, Casper, WY 82601.