Hi All:

Dan was the light and spirit of our OCF trip to Vegas. As Ed said, he had a "system" for blackjack that I will never profess to figure out but boy did it work! I was fortunate enough to be standing next to him at the table as he was giving the conservative girl from Boston a lesson about "what happens in Vegas stays in Vegas" and it did except the money which Dan took home tenfold on that trip challenged only but the equal gambling expertise of his son Chris who was a "chip off his dad's block" both in looks and huge personality.

The sight of Dan at the Blackjack table was not one of a man fighting cancer. He didn't care that he repeated his words a few times to the hostess. He captivated the table, the hostess, and me all with just the twinkle in his eye.

Equally touching for me, besides the huge hugs Dan gave freely on that trip, was the opportunity to spend time with Dan's wife and daughter Maggie. The love they shared as a family was so evident including their realistic sense that trip needed to be special because time may be short. I remember thinking, during the OCF dinner, what incredible young adults Chris and Maggie are, to take time away from their own lives and have the poise and wisdom to know that time with Dad was sacred and possibly all to short.They so clearly delighted in Dan's wit and adored their Dad.

Dan was effusive, big-hearted, and selfless. I remember his debates with Packer 66 (Frank) about "their team", the Green Bay Packers. When Frank (Packer 66) was hospitalized here in Boston, a book arrived at my door to take to Packer in the hospital about the team. It was Dan'd quiet way of making a small difference.

Not so the HUGE Wisconsin cheese basket I got from Dan after meeting him on the OCF board. As only Dan could, he wondered-is like 10 lbs of Wisconsin cheese enough?

First Dinah, now Dan, two very incredible spirits, similar in their warm ways and gentle wisdom. Both effusive and always ready with
pom-poms to cheer for others despite their own pain.

I can only hope they are having one heck of a good time together. I suspect they are and will be looking out for all of us.

Dave and I offer our condolences to all of you who knew and loved Dan and to his family.

Gary-thanks for posting the link to the funeral home. It was very nice to read the tribute to Dan and I thought it captured him so well.

Kim