James Daly

James Daly, 79, of Dongan Hills, a retired city Parks Department employee, devout Catholic and family man who will be remembered for his good outlook on life, died Saturday in Overlook Hospital, Summit, N.J.

Born and raised in the Prospect Park neighborhood of Brooklyn, he later lived in Sunset Park before moving to Dongan Hills 15 years ago.

Mr. Daly graduated from Holy Name High School in his native borough.

He and Sarah Avenoso dated a few times after they met, and "We were just lucky, it was true love," she said. They were married in 1964.

Mr. Daly had worked for the city Parks Department's vehicle maintenance division for 20 years.

He liked sports and was a New York Yankees and football Giants fan. He enjoyed horse racing and placing bets on his favorite ponies, and he was fond of playing cards and watching the Weather Channel.

"He was always positive and upbeat, and had a good outlook on life," said his daughter, Debbie Daly. "He was a jokester and was fun to be with."

Mr. Daly also was a doting grandfather.

"He did what the title of grandfather is," said his wife. "He was very selfless, and would go out of his way to help people."

Mr. Daly attended mass daily at his parish, St. Ann's R.C. Church, Dongan Hills, where he also served as a Eucharistic minister and was a member of the Rosary Society.

Surviving, along with Sarah, his wife of 51 years, and his daughter, Debbie, are his son, James; his daughters, Donna Song and Barbara Marchello; his sisters, Dorothy Hamlin, Ann Aievoli and Patricia Franks, and four grandchildren.

The funeral will be Thursday from the Casey Funeral Home, Castleton Corners, with a Mass at 10 a.m. in St. Ann's Church. Burial will follow in St. Peter's Cemetery, West Brighton.