Daniel Francis DeHaven, 65, passed away on January 2, 2018. The Lord called home one of His foot soldiers on that day.
Danny is survived by his wife of 35 years, Dee Dee DeHaven; and his sons: Daniel Jr., Kevin, and Mark; his parents, Harry Francis and Mary Geraldine; his siblings Toni, David, Nancy, Brian, and Greg; and a large and extended loving group of nieces, nephews, and in-laws. Danny is preceded in death by his brother Bruce and sister Mary Katherine.
Danny was born in Gallitzin, PA, moved to Greenbelt, MD, and ultimately settled in Beltsville, MD, where he lived with his parents and siblings for a number of years. He attended the local schools and St. Joseph’s church where he was an altar server and could recite the Mass in Latin.
Danny married young in life and had his first son, Daniel, Jr., in 1972. After the marriage ended, he was introduced to his current wife, Dee Dee, on a blind date, and so the love story began. It was Easter Sunday when they brought their two large families together, and they continued to celebrate Easter Sunday together for the last 35 years. Their family grew through the years where they had two more sons: Kevin and Mark. They continue to feel blessed by all the extended family members and friends through relationships cultivated.
Danny worked for the Government Printing Press as well as the Local Iron Workers (foreman) where he built bridges, Metro tunnels, and buildings around the Washington metro area. In 1986, he changed careers and entered the health insurance business working with his brother-in-law and then ultimately branched out on his own and opened his own business: Daniel DeHaven Insurance Agency.
Danny was a self-taught “jack-of-all-trades,” a financial advisor, Mr. Mom, and cook extraordinaire. His hobbies included motorcycles, fishing, running 3–5 miles a day, and playing poker with family and friends on Saturday evenings. His favorite music included Motown, Frankie Valli and the Four Seasons, The Beatles, Steely Dan, and Phil Collins.
Danny believed in hard work and an honest living, he would drop everything if you needed a hand, he loved capturing milestones on video, he enjoyed singing in the shower and throughout the house, he was a kindhearted soul, and he could always be counted on for a good laugh.
A Mass of Christian Burial was celebrated at St. Joseph Catholic Church, 11007 Montgomery Road, Beltsville, MD, on Monday, January 15, at 10:00 am.; interment was at George Washington Cemetery, Adelphi, MD.