Daniel A. DesRosiers

Daniel A. DesRosiers, 74, of Clay, NY, passed away on July 12, 2024 following a long illness with Parkinson's Disease. Dan met his wife Mary Lou on the school bus at the age of 14 and married in 1970. They built their home on Maple Road and welcomed two children together. Dan was a dedicated and hardworking father and husband with a quick wit and an incredible sense of humor. He was the owner of Safeway Sealing Company for more than 40 years, a member of the Teamsters Local #317, and retired from the US Postal Service. Dan could identify the make, model, and engine size of any vintage car at a glance. He was a talented mechanic, could drive anything with wheels and was selected to compete in the tractor trailer rodeo as a professional driver. Dan attended Drafting School and could design and draw construction plans to scale on the back of a napkin while sitting at a diner counter. Dan always enjoyed a good cigar and was known for his verbal talent in the creation of colorful and intricate profanity, which he considered a form of art. He is remembered for executing legendary pranks amongst his friends and telling grand, sometimes absurd, stories that could keep anyone enthralled. Dan's humorous antics may be best remembered by friends and neighbors whom he would visit in costume on Halloween. Dan was a very generous person, often looking to help people in need without seeking recognition. For his community, Dan had served as a Town of Clay Volunteer Firefighter, a Boy Scout leader, and member of the Immanuel Lutheran Church Council. As a small business owner, he provided jobs to many young people over the years – who most often referred to him as “Uncle Danny.” He was willing to pay well for a good day of hard work, which always included a stop for lunch, hot lemonade, and a lot of laughs. Dan was most proud of his children and grandchildren. Dan’s grandchildren often benefited from his generous nature and slight-of-hand–palming money when he thought their mother was not looking. Dan was predeceased by his parents, Cyril & Therese (Richer) DesRosiers; three brothers, in-laws Wallace and Arlene (Rogers) Breed, brother-in-law James Breed, and several dear friends. Surviving to cherish his memory are his wife of 54 years, Mary Lou (Breed); son, Scott (Jessica); daughter, Anne E. Killen (Patrick); and two grandchildren, Mary Katherine and Daniel Killen. He is missed by his beloved dog, Sadie, and many nieces and nephews. Calling hours will be Thursday, July 18th from 4 to 7 pm at Fergerson Funeral Home, 215 South Main Street, North Syracuse.. Funeral services will be at Noon, Friday, July 19th at Immanuel Lutheran Church, 4947 State Route 31, Clay followed by burial in Pine Plains Cemetery, Clay. In lieu of flowers, donations in Dan's memory may be made to Camp Good Days, 1332 Pittsford-Mendon Rd, P.O. Box 665, Mendon, NY 14506 or Immanuel Lutheran Church, Clay, NY.