Trinity Lodge chaplain retires after 38 years

The Trinity Lodge Retirement Residence has many long-term staff who've worked there for decades. After 38 years, its chaplain, Bart Dailley, is retiring.

At 82 years old, Bart Dailley has stepped down from his position as chaplain at Trinity Lodge Retirement Residence after 38 years of service.

“I have made friends here but the nature of the business, the friends I made, I have lost,” he said.

“I could give you a list longer than my arm of the wonderful saints who have passed through here and blessed me and they thanked me for blessing them, though I got the blessings from the folks who came through here.”

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Dailley hosted non-denominational services five mornings a week and returned Sunday evenings for a half-hour chapel service.

“I never ask people what their denomination is,” he said. “Some feel they want to tell me this or that but no, you’re welcome to come in here and you know, we didn’t stress the denomination, we just stressed that one God fits all.”

Dailley first visited the lodge as a guest chaplain in 1981.

He has an outgoing personality and not only spoke to every resident over the years but went to see them in their rooms to check on them.

“A chaplain’s duties (were to) knock on doors, meet new people, encourage them, lift them, pray with them, some people would ask if I would you please come and visit them,” he said.

“But I would knock on everybody’s door periodically and just try to encourage them and then some folks would pass and the family would ask me to bury them.”

On a happy note, Dailley also performed two wedding services at the Lodge during his time as chaplain.

Kim Ho, Trinity Lodge’s executive director, says his presence brought strength and comfort to the residents, family members and staff.

“What’s special about Bart is his caring nature for everyone, his passion, his encouragement, he has empathy towards residents and staff,” she said.

“Bart’s legacy will always be part of Trinity Lodge and we are truly grateful for everything that he’s done for us so we wish Bart good health as he embark on this journey of retirement.”

Dailley would regularly visit residents who had to spend time in the hospital after his morning services.

Ho remembers how Dailley made a big difference in the lives of everyone at the lodge during the COVID-19 pandemic, when the seniors had little to no social contact.

“We weren’t able to see each other in person but Bart made every day special for those resident that were in isolation,” she said.

“He would make a phone call every day and he would do up a summary to send us, an email to say so-and-so is doing well today, she’s a little perkier today you know?”

Dailley says he’d do it all over again but now it’s time to go and let a younger chaplain take over.

“I think I’d like to sleep in rather than get up at seven every morning,” he said.

“I’ve already been gone a week but I miss it, you’ll never get Trinity Lodge out of my thoughts and prayers and heart, you spent 38 years anywhere and it becomes a part of you.”