Daniel F. Daly lived by the words “My family is my life, and everything else comes second, as far as what is important to me”. On Sunday, July 29, 2018 in the quiet and comfort of his home, Dan died surrounded by his family. He was 77.

Dan was born on January 27, 1941 in Jamaica, Queens, New York, the son of Irish immigrants, the late John and Catherine (Murnane) Daly. When Dan was young, his father moved the family from New York City to a farm in Interlaken, New York, a place which Dan considered his hometown. When they were 12, Dan and his twin brother, John, began a lifelong commitment to hard work as they were responsible for the herd of dairy cattle, milking them twice each day. When the dairy failed to collect the milk cans, Dan and John loaded them onto the family truck and drove it into town – one working the wheel and the stick shift, the other the pedals.

Dan was a proud graduate of Interlaken Central School, Interlaken, NY. In 1963, Dan graduated from the Agricultural School at Cornell University with a degree in economics and education. At Cornell, Dan was a member of the Air Force ROTC and Theta Xi fraternity.

While on active duty at Hanscom Air Force Base, Dan met the love of his live, Wellesley native Marylouise Noonan. They married on January 6, 1968 in St. Paul’s Church in Wellesley and immediately moved to Malmstrom AFB in Great Falls, Montana where Dan was stationed as a nuclear missile control officer. Dan left active duty in 1968 but remained in the Air National Guard in the 101st Air Tactical Control Squadron in Worcester and in the Air Force Re-serve as a liaison officer for the Air Force Academy. He retired as a Lieutenant Colonel in 1992.

For over 30 years, Dan worked as a stockbroker in Worcester beginning at Hornblower and Weeks Hemphill Noyes which eventually became Smith Barney. He served his clients with distinction, many of whom became his friends, and any day was a good day when the stock market was up. He dedicated many hours to developing and establishing his own real estate business with property in West Boylston and Worcester.

Dan was devoted to his community. He was an active parishioner of St. Mary’s in Shrewsbury for nearly 50 years. Dan was a coach and board member of Shrewsbury Youth Soccer. He volunteered for Boy Scout Troop 114 and the Treasurer for Midland Area Youth Soccer, long after his children played youth sports. He was a member of the Adelphi Council #4181 Knights of Columbus and the Worcester County Chapter of the Military Officers Association of America. For many years, he held a board position with his college fraternity, Theta Xi, Zeta chapter.

Dan and Mary raised their five children in Shrewsbury, MA. In the company of their children and grandchildren, Dan and Mary recently celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary. Dan was dedicated to family and friends and generous to all. He loved sports, particularly the Red Sox and the Patriots, and celebrated all of his grandchildren’s athletics, activities, and achievements. His hometown of Interlaken, NY held a special place in his heart, as did the 70 years of lasting friendships he established there. Dan loved a good laugh and was quick with a smile. Whenever you met Dan, you could be sure to be treated to one of his favorite jokes, usually from Reader’s Digest.

For four years, Dan fought a courageous battle with colon cancer. Despite multiple surgeries and chemotherapy treatments, he continued working and rarely, if ever, changed his routine. Dan’s sense of humor never wavered, entertaining his medical team with his jokes until the very end.

Dan’s family would like to thank the staff of Dana Farber Cancer Institute and Brigham and Women’s Hospital all of whom treated Dan with care and compassion, particularly Dr. Jennifer Chan and Dr. James Cleary.

Dan is survived by his wife, Marylouise, and their five children: Tim and his wife, Mary Beth, of Shrewsbury; Mary Pat Calderwood and her husband, Jamie, of Shrewsbury; Mark and his wife, Cathy, of Bethesda, MD; Kathleen Sayles and her husband, Bill, of Cambridge, MA; and Ellen Burden and her husband, Richard, of Farnborough, England. Dan is survived by his 16 loving grandchildren Ryan, Liam, Finnegan, Tierney and Keegan Daly; Caroline, Megan, and Kate Calderwood; Elizabeth, Anna, and Matthew Daly; Emma, Charlie, and Thomas Sayles; and Daniel and Max Burden; his siblings, Michael of Odessa, Florida; Monica Cannon of Sarasota, Florida; his twin brother, John, of Ashburn, Virginia, and numerous nieces, nephews, cousins and friends, including his long-time business associate and right-hand man, Ron Besaw of Wales, MA. Dan was predeceased by his parents, his sister, Maureen Hollingsworth, and an infant son.

Family and friends are invited to visit with Dan’s family on Friday, August 3, from 4:00 to 7:00 p.m. at BRITTON-SHREWSBURY FUNERAL HOME 648 Main Street, Shrewsbury, MA. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Saturday, August 4 at St. Mary’s Church, 640 Main Street, Shrewsbury at 10:00 a.m. Burial with military honors will follow at Mountain View Cemetery, Shrewsbury.

Donations may be made in Dan’s memory to DFCI, Attn: Dr. Jennifer Chan, 10 Brookline Place West, 6th Floor, Brookline, MA 02445.