Saint Laurence (d. 258) was a deacon of Rome.  During the persecution of the Church by the Emperor Valerian, he was martyred by being burned on a gridiron.  When the imperial authorities demanded that he produce the treasure of the Church, he brought the poor people of Rome to the prefect.

Saint Vincent (d. ca. 303) was a deacon of Saragossa, and under the persecution of the Church by the Emperor Diocletian, he became the first martyr of Spain.

Saint Ephrem (306-373) was a deacon of Edessa in Asia.  He wrote many works of scriptural exegesis, theology, and poetry, and many liturgical hymns.  He is called a doctor (teacher) of the Church.

Blessed Alcuin of York (730-804) was a perpetual deacon who directed Charlemagne's ecclesiastical, educational, and liturgical reforms.  [Biographical sketch]

Saint Francis of Assisi (1181-1226) was a perpetual deacon.  He founded the mendicant Order of Friars Minor and lived a life in service to the poor and sick.

Blessed Nicholas Ferrar (1592-1637), founder of the Little Gidding community, was ordained a perpetual deacon in 1626 by Archbishop William Laud.