Daniel dedicated 35 years of his career to the Internal Revenue Service, U.S. Department of the Treasury, before retiring and launching his own tax resolution business. In this second career, he helped thousands of people find their way out of financial hardship, saving them millions of dollars along the way. He often described this work not simply as a job, but as a ministry — a calling to serve people in some of their most stressful moments and help them find relief.
Daniel is survived by his wife of 41 years, Jo Ann Bazaldua; his daughters, Erika (Blake) Holland and Julia (Payne) Nowak. The loves of his life grandchildren, Elisa, Payne Jr., Julia J, Joseph, and Magdalene. Brother Rudy (Karen) Bazaldua, sisters-in-law, Annalisa Whitley, Sarah DeLeon, Sylvia Tort and brother-in-law Sy DeLeon, as well as dozens of nieces and nephews.
He is preceded in death by his parents Manuel and Mary Bazaldua, in-laws Sylvester and Mary DeLeon and brother Manuel Bazaldua Jr.
Faith was at the center of Daniel's life, and it only grew stronger through the years, especially in his later journey with cancer, when deepening his relationship with Jesus became one of his top priorities, alongside his family and career. He carried that same spirit of dedication into everything else he loved: golf, basketball, and horse racing, coaching others, volunteering, and simply showing up for people who needed someone in their corner. Wherever he went, he built community.
Daniel was known as a wealth of wisdom and a generous listener, someone who made time for the people around him. He will be remembered for his silly sense of humor, his cheerful spirit, his competitive streak, and the deep care he showed everyone fortunate enough to know him.
He will be dearly missed by his family, friends, and the countless people whose lives he touched.
