Dan was born on September 13, 1923 in Bayonne, NJ to the late Andrew Dzamba and Mary Sirochman. He was one of three sons and his two brothers Andrew and Frank predeceased him decades ago. He is preceded in death by his beloved wife of 58 years Grace Hazell Dzamba.
Dan is survived by two sons, Daniel Dzamba, Jr. and wife Barbara, James Dzamba; and one granddaughter, Kristina Grace Dzamba. He was a devoted husband, father and grandfather. Dan also is survived by his 1st cousins Eleanor Kreta and Neil Carroll both of Bayonne, NJ and by his good friend and brother-in-law Norman Hazell of Freehold, NJ.
Dan was a proud World War II United States Navy veteran. He served honorably from December 1940 until October 1945. He was a communication specialist and among his assignments were the Atlantic Fleet Patrol Wing 7, the Patrol Squadron 93, and the Fleet Airwing Squadron 7. Dan also served on the USS Lapwing, the USS Albemarle, the USS Pocomoke and lastly the USS Bataan. He served in the North Atlantic and Pacific theaters of the war. One of his prized possessions is his WWII scrapbook. He retained a copy of the original teletype communique sent to all US Naval installations from Pacific Command on that infamous day December 7, 1941 where the communique simply reads “Air Raid on Pearl Harbor X This is not a Drill.”
After the war Dan joined the New York and New Jersey Port Authority Police. He served with distinction for 38 years until his retirement in 1984. The last 14 years of his police service he was assigned to the Port Authority Police Academy and was their fire arms expert and trainer.
While his sons were growing up Dan was active with them in the Boy Scouts of America and Little League baseball. Among his truly unique talents were his ability to make a perfect Manhattan cocktail (stirred and definitely never shaken!) and his eloquence in reciting by memory the famous 19th century baseball poem “Casey at the Bat” by author Ernest Thayer. Dan loved reciting this uniquely American poem at banquets, naval ship reunions, occasionally at family gatherings and even in a pub in England on of one his frequent world travels with his wife Grace.He loved watching sports and particularly watching his granddaughter play high school volleyball.
He lived a tremendously full life where he cherished his family, friends and relatives, valued life’s blessings, and was proud to serve and defend this great country. Now may God’s angels accompany him to be reunited with his beloved Grace to God’s Eternal Kingdom.
The family will receive friends on Thursday, March 15, 2018 from 5:00-7:00 PM at Brown-Wynne Funeral Home, 200 SE Maynard Road, Cary, NC 27511. Funeral services will be held 2:30 PM on Friday, March 16, 2018 at St Michael’s Episcopal Church, 1520 Canterbury Rd, Raleigh, NC 27608. Burial will be at Salisbury National Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers a donation in Daniel Dzamba, Sr.’s name can be made to the AMVETS Foundation at www.amvetsnsf.org. He was a member of American Legion Post 67 in Cary, NC.
Online condolences may be made at www.brownwynnecary.com
Arrangements for the Dzamba family are under the care of Brown-Wynne Funeral Home in Cary.
