Our beloved Dan has passed away in Abbotsford, BC. He leaves behind his loving wife Joanne; children, Shannon (Mike), Alan, and Erin (Justin); grandsons and lights of his life, Gavin, Jack, and Lucas; brother, Terrence (Stephanie); and sister, Elizabeth. He was the proud uncle to Chantell, Brendan, Bronwen, Riley, Steve, Carly, Ryan, Jon, and Katie. He will always be remembered by many beloved family members and friends.
Dan was born in Dunloghaire, (just outside of Dublin), Ireland, and, thanks to a coin toss that could have sent the family to Australia, emigrated to Canada with his parents and younger brother Terry in 1957. After settling in the Vancouver/Burnaby area, Dan graduated from Notre Dame Catholic High School in 1969, with his life-long friend, Dan Pearce.
He coached minor league soccer for several years with Cliff Avenue United. Now, this being in his bachelor days, he would often show up hung over but he always showed up. And his boys loved playing for him. As a dad (and not hung over), he coached minor league soccer and softball in Nanaimo and Abbotsford, and played and coached softball and slo-pitch with Redwood Plastics.
After working for some years with the CPR head office - Vancouver, Dan worked in the industrial plastics business as a sales rep, finally retiring from Redwood Plastics in 2016.
Dan was a force of nature and had an indomitable spirit that never let physical limitations stop him from achieving the impossible. He led by example and showed our children, grandsons, and indeed everyone what it was to hold yourself to higher ideals. The end result, as he was fond of saying, was not so much to achieve it, but to learn from the journey getting there. And he had quite the journey.
His sense of humour was both his defense and offense, whenever anyone chose to be unpleasant to him or anyone he loved. Those who tried to challenge him to a battle of wits soon found themselves hopelessly disarmed. But it was his wonderful compassion as well as his humour that won him many lifelong and loyal friends. He was an ardent fan of the Leafs, Dodgers, and the Roughies, for which he endured many years of good-natured ribbing.
Dan's health had not been good in the last few years but he never complained and never felt sorry for himself. He would visualize himself on his favourite beach, either in Parksville or the Sunshine Coast, breathing in the wonderful salty air and feeling the sun on his handsome face.
There will be no services as per Dan's wishes. We will hopefully have a celebratory party on the back deck for him when we are able to gather together again - which he would love.
In lieu of flowers, please consider making a donation in Dan's name to a worthwhile charity of your choice.
"It matters not how strait the gate, How charged with punishments the scroll, I am the master of my fate, I am the master of my soul" ~ Invictus, William H. Henley
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