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Obituary
Daniel R. Stefanowich, Sr., 89, died peacefully in his sleep
at the New York State Veterans Home in Oxford, N.Y. on July 31, 2018.
Dan was born and raised in Old Forge, and worked for Federal Telephone and Radio
before being drafted into the U.S. Army in 1951. He served in Korea and mapped the Amazon basin
for the Army Corps of Engineers before serving as a combat pilot in Vietnam.
He retired a Lieutenant Colonel in 1971 and earned numerous awards, including
two Legions of Merit, three Distinguished Flying Crosses, the Purple Heart, Vietnam Cross of Gallantry with gold star
and Master Army Aviator Badge.
Dan worked for the Pennsylvania Department of Public Welfare in Tioga and
Potter counties, retiring as Executive Director in 1991. In Coudersport, he
was active with the American Legion, Knights of Columbus and Rotary International. After retirement, he worked for the 2000
U.S. Census and Tioga County Tax Assessment, where he made many lasting
friends.
Dan enjoyed hunting and fishing and was active in community theater and the
Catholic Church. He was confident, gregarious, charming, admired, and
loved.
Dan is survived by his wife of 59 years, Catherine (nee Lanning), of Norwich,
N.Y.; his sister Regina Rignanesi of Old Forge; sons George and Daniel Jr.
(Nancy); daughters Linda Vecellio (Gary), Laura Smith (Sherman) and Lisa McKnight; 10
grandchildren and nine great-grandchildren. He is preceded in death by his
grandson, Jason Smith.
Private memorial services will be held at Arlington National Cemetery. A
public memorial picnic will be held on Saturday, Aug. 18, at 1 p.m. at the
Lodge in Newtown Battlefield, Elmira, N.Y.
Published in The Wellsboro Gazette from
Aug. 6 to Aug. 12, 2018 |
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