Daniel A. Black

CHARLOTTE, North Carolina - Daniel “Bud” Alfred Black, age 91, passed away peacefully Sunday, October 28, 2018 with his wife, Norma Jean, by his side as she was during their entire 72-year marriage. His fun-loving, cheerful nature brought out the best in everyone around him despite the situation and earned him countless friends, but it was his absolute belief in putting family first and keeping cherished traditions alive that captured the adoring hearts of his legacy: a devoted wife, four children, six grandchildren and 11 great grandchildren who will forever remember and miss him.

Born on May 26, 1927 in Pittsburgh, Pa. to Daniel and Amanda Black, Dan was the second of three children and often shared the struggles his family endured early in his life during the Depression. A strong work ethic resulted as he successfully balanced playing sports and working during high school. It was during that time that he met and fell in love with his wife, Norma Jean, before they both graduated from Baldwin High School in Brentwood, Pennsylvania.

Dan served in the United States Navy during WWII aboard the light cruiser U.S.S. Juneau and then went on to have a successful 38-year career working for Fabco Fastening Systems in Pittsburgh as a Technical Services Manager. His ability to listen well to others and solve problems helped him develop patented products for his company as well as other fastener innovations.

The company transferred him to Charlotte, NC in 1983. Leaving behind his childhood hometown and many beloved, lifelong friends was one of the hardest things he and Norma Jean did together. After retiring from Fabco, Dan established the D. A. Black Company, a distributor of metal building fasteners, and managed it until his retirement later transitioning it to his only son, Dan Black. His successful career and self-built business afforded him a retirement of a lifetime overlooking the beautiful Atlantic Ocean from an 8th floor condo in quaint Vero Beach, Florida. There he and Norma enjoyed golfing, dancing, taking “dips” in their pool, entertaining friends and walking every morning. He used to brag about his beautiful views to make everyone envious so they’d come to visit him and invited all of his great grandchildren to come play in his sandbox, which he teased them was bigger than theirs.

The stories and memories of his many life adventures, travels, pranks, games, hospitality, unique ways of doing things like decorating a Christmas tree or making a sandwich, winning over children, dancing with his wife, living it up during family vacations and celebrating holidays are countless and engraved in the hearts and minds of many. He never met a stranger, was full of life and sang his way through it.

He is already dearly missed and will be warmly remembered through the lifetime of memories and love he gave to all who knew him and called him friend, husband, dad and Pop Pop.

He leaves behind his beloved wife, Norma Jean; his four devoted children and their spouses with whom he had such special bonds and absolutely loved spending time with: daughter and son-in-law, Joan and Jeff Davis, daughter and son-in-law, Gayle and Tim Eason, daughter, Lynn Carroll, and son, Daniel Black; his adored grandchildren, Christine Eubanks, Jennifer Schwartz, Julie Eason, Danny Carroll, Lisa Lynch and Amy Curtis; as well as eleven great grandchildren Kate & Macyn Eubanks, Colette, Sabine & Simone Schwartz, Noah Gutch, Hudson & Barrett Carroll, Andrew Lynch, and Addison & Austin Curtis.

The family would like to thank the many loving members of Hospice and Palliative Care and the Waltonwood Providence care team who befriended and sang along with Dan in his final year.

A celebration of Dan’s life will be held Friday, November 2, 2018 at 10:30 a.m. at McEwen Funeral Home Pineville Chapel, 10500 Park Road, Charlotte, NC 28210. There will be a luncheon immediately following at Waltonwood Providence, 5039 Providence Country Club Drive, Charlotte, NC 28277.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the: Pleasant Hills Library, 302 Old Clairton Road, Pittsburgh, PA 15236, or to: Hospice and Palliative Care, 7845 Little Avenue, Charlotte, NC 28226

Condolences or favorite memories/stories about Dan would be cherished and may be sent to: McEwen Pineville Chapel at www.mcewenpinevillechapel.com.