Gary Alan Daigle

Gary Alan Daigle, 68, passed away peacefully, surrounded by his family and friends, in Chicago, Illinois. He was born in Valdosta, Georgia, to the late Arthur Joseph and Rita Cecilia (Zimmerman) Daigle. Loving father to Erin, Paige, and Grant Daigle (mother, Maria Mire Daigle), devoted partner to Breda Berry; dear brother to Glen (Mindy) Daigle, Donald Daigle, Linda (the late Bobby Jr.) Watts, the late Dennis Daigle, and Steven (Lee Ann) Daigle.

Gary’s musical journey began at a very young age in Gonzales, Louisiana, where he became largely self-taught as a musician, mastering multiple string instruments and the piano. During his youth, he performed in high school musicals and choruses, and his exceptional abilities as a guitarist and overall musician quickly became known throughout the community. He taught guitar lessons at a local music store and performed weekly with various pop bands and ensembles, many of which he founded himself.

Gary pursued formal musical studies at Southeastern Louisiana University, where he earned a Bachelor of Music degree. As a dedicated member of the university jazz band, he further refined his talents as an arranger and composer. During his college years, he performed with local bands representing a wide range of musical styles, from acoustic ensembles to fusion jazz. His reputation as a gifted guitarist led to invitations to participate in recording sessions and regional tours with commercially recognized artists.

Gary’s lifelong ministry in sacred music also began during his high school years. In 1975, at his home parish, St. Theresa of Avila Catholic Church in Gonzales, he began working with The Dameans—Mike Balhoff, Gary Ault, Buddy Ceasar, and Darryl Ducote, the pioneering Catholic contemporary music ensemble—and soon developed a vibrant and thriving music ministry centered on youth and contemporary liturgical music. The influence of his leadership and mentorship was profound. Many young musicians who participated in these ensembles went on to successful careers as professional musicians, music educators, cantors, and pastoral music ministers. They frequently credit Gary’s artistry, musicianship, mentorship, and instruction as invaluable and life-changing. It was during this period that Gary’s spiritual and artistic journey took shape, leading to more than forty years of dedicated service as a Catholic musician, composer, arranger, and pastoral music leader.

Gary later served in Campus Ministry at the Catholic University of America in Washington, D.C. His liturgical expertise expanded significantly through his studies at the Corpus Christi Center for Liturgical Studies in Arizona, then a nationally recognized center for liturgical scholarship under the direction of John Gallen, S.J. During this time, he also served as Director of Music Ministry at the Franciscan Renewal Center (The Casa) in Scottsdale, Arizona. It was there that he began his more than thirty-five-year collaboration with Rory Cooney and Theresa Donohoo.

From Arizona, Gary’s ministry led him to serve communities at St. Monica Catholic Church in Malibu, California, and St. Edna Parish in Chicago. Throughout his career, his extraordinary musical gifts became widely recognized. He composed more than seventy liturgical songs and collaborated with many of the most prominent figures in Catholic sacred music, including The Dameans, Rory Cooney, Theresa Donohoo, Marty Haugen, Michael Joncas, John Flaherty, and many others. He co-composed and arranged music for scores of recordings, performed for decades at conferences and workshops across the country, and faithfully served local parish communities through his leadership of liturgical music.

Gary presented workshops and shaped worship experiences for national and regional gatherings throughout the United States, including the East Coast Conference for Religious Education, the Hofinger Conference, The Gathering, and the National Association of Pastoral Musicians. In recognition of his lifelong contributions to the Church and the field of sacred music, he was named Pastoral Musician of the Year in 2019 by the highly respected National Association of Pastoral Musicians.

Through his collaborations, hundreds of vocalists and instrumentalists experienced profound spiritual and artistic growth and formed lifelong friendships. Yet even these numbers pale in comparison to the tens of thousands of parishioners whose worship and faith lives were enriched by Gary’s music, leadership, and ministry.

Throughout his illness, Gary’s unwavering faith, quiet strength, selflessness, and deep love and devotion to his family and friends remained a source of inspiration to all who knew him. His life’s work stands as a testament to the transformative power of music, ministry, mentorship, and love.

Visitation, Monday, July 20, 2026, 4:00 until 8:00 p.m. at Glueckert Funeral Home, Ltd., 1520 North Arlington Heights Road (4 blocks south of Palatine Road), Arlington Heights, IL 60004. Morning Visitation Tuesday, July 21, 2026, from 9:00 a.m. until the Funeral Mass at 10:30 a.m. at St. Anne Catholic Church, 120 Ela St., Barrington, IL 60010. Visitation, Monday, July 27, 2026, 5:00 until 8:00 p.m. at Ourso Funeral Home, 13533 Airline Hwy, Gonzales, LA 70737. Visitation in Church 9:00 a.m. until the Funeral Mass at 10:00 a.m., St. Theresa of Avila Church, 1022 N Burnside Ave., Gonzales, LA 70737. Interment at Cornerview Cemetery in Gonzales, Louisiana.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be given to the Little Sisters of the Poor Chicago, St. Mary’s Home, 2325 N Lakewood Ave, Chicago, IL 60614 (https://littlesistersofthepoorchicago.org/donate/)