Daniel Simanaitis Obituary

Daniel Simanaitis ISLE OF PALMS - On December 14, 2024, Daniel A. Simanaitis passed away at his home in Naperville, IL, where he was spending the holidays with his children after losing his wife, Cissy, earlier this year. Born on September 27, 1938, "Lieutenant Dan" as he was fondly called by family and friends, lived life to the fullest. He will be remembered for his love and devotion to his family and friends. People gravitated to Dan's fun and generous personality. He was always the brightest light in any room. He loved family dinners, golfing with friends, sailing and diving trips, and quiet nights gazing out over his beloved tidal marsh in Isle of Palms, SC. Dan was the second of six children born to Albert Daniel Simanaitis and Helen Marie Yesenofski in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. In 8th grade in 1952, Dan enrolled at Augustinian Academy with intentions of pursuing life in the priesthood. A year later, he was dismissed for sneaking out a window to see a movie with some of his classmates. God had other plans for Dan. Dan graduated from Roman Catholic High School in Philadelphia in 1956. He attended Philadelphia Textile University on a full academic scholarship and graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree in Chemistry. Dan was recruited to play basketball by the legendary coach Bucky Harris. The team of 1958 was later inducted into the Textile Hall of Fame in November of 2012. Two weeks after college graduation, Dan enrolled in Officer Candidate School in Newport, Rhode Island after participating in the U.S. Naval Reserve for four years through college. He graduated from UDT, the Navy Underwater Demolition Team and BUD's, Basic Underwater Demolition, which is the grueling training program for the Navy SEALS. Dan was the leader of the U.S. Naval Ceremonial Guard at the funeral of John F. Kennedy in November of 1962 in Washington, D.C. He represented the Navy at all functions of state including burying the dead at Arlington National Cemetery. During a 4th of July trip to Ocean City, New Jersey in 1959, Dan met Dolores Downey. She asked him to dance, and the rest is history. They married November 24, 1962 at the U.S. Naval Chapel in Washington, D.C. After leaving the military, Dan worked for Amoco Chemicals for 34 years. Dan and Cissy shared countless lifelong adventures. Their 63 years together included 9 moves - living in Pennsylvania, Staten Island, NY, California, Connecticut, Geneva, Switzerland, Hong Kong, Illinois and Charleston, SC. Together, they would see much of the world, raise their two children, Susan and Daniel, and watch their grandson, Matthew grow up and attend medical school. Dan was preceded in death by wife, Dolores Simanaitis, brothers, Albert and Peter, and sister, Jeannie Low. He is survived by children, Susan (David) Marcou, Daniel (Susan) D. Simanaitis, grandson, Matthew Marcou and sisters Louise Galyo and Roseanne Coalson. His family and friends will forever cherish his memory and the profound impact he had on their lives. Funeral services will be held Monday, December 30th at 10:30 am at St. Anthony of Padua Catholic Church in Ambler, PA. A celebration of life will be held later this year in Isle of Palms, SC. In lieu of flowers, gifts can be made to the Tunnel to Towers Foundation or Smile Train.org.