Daniel "Dan" Daniels Jr.

Mr. Daniel “Dan” Daniels, Jr., age 83, of New Hartford, passed away on Saturday, February 25, 2012 at the Faxton-St. Luke’s Healthcare Center with his loving family by his side. Born in Utica on March 26, 1928, Daniel was the son of the late Daniel and Mary (Torchia) Daniels. Raised and educated locally, he attended T.R. Proctor High School and continued his studies at Utica College. A proud veteran of the United States Army, he honorably served his country during the Korean Conflict stationed in Alaska. On August 10, 1947 he married the former Lucy Russo with whom he shared 64 years as best friends in a beautiful relationship enhanced with love, respect, and laughter. Dan’s working life was commensurate with his aptitude, ethics, and, reliability, and reflected the high regard in which he was held. He began working for the City of Utica as deputy Mayor. He moved on to become a valued employee for over 30 years with the Municipal Housing Authority where he held the position of Modernization Coordinator. Dan retired for a short period of time and was cordially welcomed to return to that very department as assistant to the coordinator. His ‘second family’ at the MHA considered Dan to be the unofficial Morale Officer and a very well respected coworker. His dear friends Madeline Barlow and Bridget Rubino will remember the joy and humor he brought to the office each day. In his professional commitments, he knew his purpose, and in his personal and community relationships he recognized appreciation and gratitude. Dan welcomed all the wonderful things in life, especially a loving family and great friends, and during the seasons of his life he embraced laughter and brought great joy to others. He was friendly, genuine, and intelligent, and he had a marvelous capacity to be a ‘memorable prankster’, and these memories of Dan will cause us all to laugh again and again. He was aware of the abundant blessings he acquired and he eagerly shared in the art of celebrating life with his family, from birthdays to reunions. Not only was he the events director at home, he was also a fabulous cook. In his earlier days, he was an avid baseball catcher, and in his spare time he enjoyed golfing. He was a member of The Get Together Club. Dan is survived by his wife, Lucy; his daughters and son-in-law, Patricia Daniels-King of Plantation, Florida, and Marcia Daniels-Rogers and her husband Brent Rogers of Davie, Florida; his son and daughter-in-law, Dan and Janet Daniels of Merritt Island, Florida; his 5 grandchildren; and his 7 great-grandchildren. In addition, he leaves his sisters and brother-in-law, Shirley Vescera of CA, and Olga and Ralph Grandinette of New Hartford; his brother and sister-in-law, Paul and Frances Daniels of Marcy; many nieces, nephews, great-nieces, great-nephews, cousins, and in-laws, Theresa Daniels, Mary R. D’Onofrio, and Virginia R. "Ginny" and Peter Cecilia. Dan touched so many lives and had so many friends along the journey of his life, notably his best friend, Joey Mazza. He was predeceased by his sister and brother-in-law, Sandy and Michael Caruso; his brother, Jeffery E. “Barney” Daniels, Sr.; and several in-laws. The family is grateful to Dan’s physicians, Dr. Charles Eldredge, Dr. Christopher Max, and Dr. Stephen Lauterbach for their compassionate care and professional attention. Visitation will be held Tuesday from 4:00-8:00 at the Eannace Funeral Home, Inc., 932 South St., corner of Hammond Ave. Expressions of sympathy in the form of memorial contributions may be made to the American Kidney Foundation in lieu of floral offerings; envelopes will be available at the funeral home. Dan’s funeral service and Celebration of Life will commence on Wednesday at 12:00 noon from the funeral home and at 1:00 at St. Anthony & St. Agnes Church where his Mass of Christian Burial will be offered by Rev. Anthony P. LaFache. Interment with Military Honors will follow at Calvary Cemetery.

Daniel "Dan" Daniels Jr.

March 26, 1928 - February 25, 2012