Obituary for Daniel Bernard Witkop
STILLWATER - Daniel B. Witkop, 77, lifelong resident of Stillwater/Mechanicville, died on December 29, 2021 at Albany Medical Center, after a brief illness. Born in Troy on July 13, 1944, he was the son of the late Bernard and Grace Fitzpatrick Witkop.
Dan graduated from St. Paul's Parochial School and later Mechanicville High School in 1962, followed by HVCC in 1964. He then joined the US Air Force, serving for 4 years, before being honorably discharged in 1969. During his service, he was a recruiter, a loadmaster on a C130, and was stationed in England.
Dan's hard work ethic started as a young boy, delivering newspapers, peddling milk, and working as a clerk at Golden Drugs. Upon returning home from the Air Force, Dan took over for his father and successfully ran a monument company, Grace Memorials, up until the time of his passing. Proudly, over the past few years, he passed this business down and worked alongside his son, Trevor. Dan also worked as a 1st Class Lineman for NYSEG for 32 years, retiring as Chief Lineman in 2002.
Dan also enjoyed work as a bartender, at Kirkers Restaurant, the M/S Elks, and the former B&D Tavern. His quick wit, sense of humor, and genuineness always put a smile on his customers’ faces. Later in life he enjoyed frequenting Costanzo's Lounge, the B&D tavern or the Elks Lodge. A die-hard NY Yankee fan, he also followed NY Giants football and was an avid golfer, joke teller, crossword puzzler. He also looked forward to his yearly deep-sea fishing trips with his buddies. After retirement from NYSEG, Dan and wife Karen began wintering in West Palm Beach, FL. They enjoyed the warm winters there up until this past year. Dan was proud of his grandchildren and their accomplishments both academically and athletically. He tried to attend as many of his granddaughters' volleyball games as he could.
Dan was a longtime member of the Mechanicville Stillwater Elks Lodge 1403, American Legion Post 91 and former member of the J L Short Hook and Ladder Co #1 of the Mechanicville Fire Dept.
Dan's family wishes to extend great thanks to the staff of E-4 unit of Albany Medical Center for the dedication, care, and concern shown to him during his stay.
Survivors include his wife of 50 years, Karen Vano Witkop, whom he married December 17, 1971, son James (Lois) Witkop of Fairfax, VA, daughter Danielle (Stephen) Sala of Ballston Lake, Trevor Witkop of Stillwater, grandchildren Benen and Regan Witkop and Annabelle and Genevieve Sala, sister Marjorie (Norman) Lane, brother Robert (Beverly) Witkop, brothers-in-law Frank Santagato and James (Ruth) Vano as well as several nieces and nephews. Dan was predeceased by his parents, sister Marilyn Santagato, and parents-in-law Thomas and Catherine "June" Vano.
Calling hours at the DeVito-Salvadore Funeral Home, 39 So. Main St., Mechanicville on Monday from 4-7 PM. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Tuesday, at 11AM at All Saints on the Hudson(St. Paul's) Church with military honors and burial to follow in Saratoga National Cemetery. Mask wearing will be required during all services.
In lieu of flowers, remembrances may be made to the Saratoga National Cemetery Honor Guard Assoc, 200 Duell Rd, Schuylerville, NY 12871 in memory of Daniel Witkop.
Dan graduated from St. Paul's Parochial School and later Mechanicville High School in 1962, followed by HVCC in 1964. He then joined the US Air Force, serving for 4 years, before being honorably discharged in 1969. During his service, he was a recruiter, a loadmaster on a C130, and was stationed in England.
Dan's hard work ethic started as a young boy, delivering newspapers, peddling milk, and working as a clerk at Golden Drugs. Upon returning home from the Air Force, Dan took over for his father and successfully ran a monument company, Grace Memorials, up until the time of his passing. Proudly, over the past few years, he passed this business down and worked alongside his son, Trevor. Dan also worked as a 1st Class Lineman for NYSEG for 32 years, retiring as Chief Lineman in 2002.
Dan also enjoyed work as a bartender, at Kirkers Restaurant, the M/S Elks, and the former B&D Tavern. His quick wit, sense of humor, and genuineness always put a smile on his customers’ faces. Later in life he enjoyed frequenting Costanzo's Lounge, the B&D tavern or the Elks Lodge. A die-hard NY Yankee fan, he also followed NY Giants football and was an avid golfer, joke teller, crossword puzzler. He also looked forward to his yearly deep-sea fishing trips with his buddies. After retirement from NYSEG, Dan and wife Karen began wintering in West Palm Beach, FL. They enjoyed the warm winters there up until this past year. Dan was proud of his grandchildren and their accomplishments both academically and athletically. He tried to attend as many of his granddaughters' volleyball games as he could.
Dan was a longtime member of the Mechanicville Stillwater Elks Lodge 1403, American Legion Post 91 and former member of the J L Short Hook and Ladder Co #1 of the Mechanicville Fire Dept.
Dan's family wishes to extend great thanks to the staff of E-4 unit of Albany Medical Center for the dedication, care, and concern shown to him during his stay.
Survivors include his wife of 50 years, Karen Vano Witkop, whom he married December 17, 1971, son James (Lois) Witkop of Fairfax, VA, daughter Danielle (Stephen) Sala of Ballston Lake, Trevor Witkop of Stillwater, grandchildren Benen and Regan Witkop and Annabelle and Genevieve Sala, sister Marjorie (Norman) Lane, brother Robert (Beverly) Witkop, brothers-in-law Frank Santagato and James (Ruth) Vano as well as several nieces and nephews. Dan was predeceased by his parents, sister Marilyn Santagato, and parents-in-law Thomas and Catherine "June" Vano.
Calling hours at the DeVito-Salvadore Funeral Home, 39 So. Main St., Mechanicville on Monday from 4-7 PM. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Tuesday, at 11AM at All Saints on the Hudson(St. Paul's) Church with military honors and burial to follow in Saratoga National Cemetery. Mask wearing will be required during all services.
In lieu of flowers, remembrances may be made to the Saratoga National Cemetery Honor Guard Assoc, 200 Duell Rd, Schuylerville, NY 12871 in memory of Daniel Witkop.