Van Daniel Fraysier

Van Daniel Fraysier, born in Miami, FL, passed away peacefully in his sleep on March 10th 2025 in Sanford, FL. He graduated from North Miami High School, class of 1968, and spent 30 years with AT&T (Southern Bell/Bellsouth), where he resided in south then central Florida. Van was married to Diana Fraysier from 1978 to 1999. He is preceded in death by his father Roy Fraysier, mother Lois Hommel, and sister Linda Borden. He is survived by his son Matthew Daniel Fraysier, daughter-in-law Janaka Lee Fraysier, and two grandchildren, Finley Belle and Brooks Daniel. Van loved people, the outdoors, traveling, and reading. He lived a simple yet extraordinary life and left a lasting impact on those who knew him best. Honor his legacy by remembering his laugh and smile and cherishing treasured memories.

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Tribute from his son, Matthew Daniel Fraysier:

“I lost my dad. He was my best friend. We talked every day. I like to think he lived a good full life. We made a lot of memories together over the years. We vacationed all over when I was younger. I sure miss that old ‘78 Ford Bronco. I’ll never forget all those weekends out on the little Wekiva in our johnboat. All those CWA volleyball practices and games around Orlando. Racing him on the white sandy beaches up in Pensacola. Trips to camp at Hoonton Island and Cumberland Island. Fishing in Florida Keys at Bahia Honda State Park. Our many family getaways up to Blairsville Georgia. We went to the 1996 Olympics. He loved sports car racing. We went to the 12 hours of Sebring together, the 24 hours of Daytona, Road Atlanta, Road America, and Lime Rock. I’m sorry he never saw Le Mans. He took me to my first Miami Hurricanes game at the old Orange Bowl. He took me to my first Miami Dolphins game at Joe Robbie Stadium. He loved cooking on the grill especially a nice pork chop or some Johnsonville brats. He loved being a phone man and all his phone company buddies. I can’t think of a baseball game I played that he wasn’t there. He probably watched me play centerfield in over a 1000+ games from Seminole Pony, to AAU in Winter Haven, high school, Post 53 legion ball, DBCC, FCSL, and my D1 days. He always showed up. As I got older he was always there to bail me out, literally and figuratively. Lol. He helped me settle down in the northeast. He loved Janaka like a daughter. He was proud to be a pop-paw. I only wish he could have been around longer for his grandkids to know him better and spend more time with him. He loved James Bond, Steve McQueen, Forrest Gump, and Shawshank Redemption. He listened to the Beatles, Steely Dan, and the Eagles. He was 75 when he passed. The last 7-8 years were tough on him. Watching his mental and physical health deteriorate was tough on me too. I know he was proud of me. And I was proud of him. He taught me basically everything I know. It’s striking how similar we were in so many ways. He went peacefully in his sleep less than 12 hours after I left his bedside. I knew it was coming and so did he. There aren’t any memorial services and there aren’t any causes to donate to. I will spread his ashes at Chimney Top in the Great Smokey Mountains. If you knew him please honor his legacy by celebrating his life and not mourning his death. That’s how he wanted it. I’m so grateful to have had him as a dad, as a mentor, as a friend, and as a role model. I’ll sure miss calling him on my way home from work and playing Jeopardy with him. I never beat him in arm wrestling because he was too strong, and I never won an argument with him because he was too stubborn. I’ll miss you dad. I pray you will look down on my family, bless us, and keep us safe with a watchful eye. Rest in peace pops. I love you.”