Daniel J. Dragonette's Obituary
101 years of a life well-lived, sadly ended for Daniel on May 3, 2024. Daniel was the son of Richard and Anna [Pansini] Dragonette. He resided in Fort Myers, FL since 1979. He and Marian, his beloved wife of 79 years, moved to Fort Myers from Warwick, N.Y. following his lengthy career with the state of New York who most notably was the Steward [Business Manager] of Warwick State Training School for Boys for many years.
Dan proudly served in both World War II and the Korean War. He volunteered for service in World War II when he was too young to sign up without parental approval. His mother thought it was “safe” for him to be in the Coast Guard so that is where he served as a radio operator. He was instrumental in receiving messages from the enemy that were decoded and were important to the war effort. He served in New Smyrna, Beach Florida where he and Marian were wed in 1944, initiating their love of Florida to which they would ultimately return.
He was called up for the Korean War by the Navy when he had two young children at home. Dan was notably a two service, two war veteran, and at the time of his death, one of the oldest surviving World War II veterans.
Dan received his associate's degree in accounting when he had young children at home while handling a full-time job. He valued education and passed that on to his children. Dan was famously adept in all home do it yourself projects which he continued late into his nineties.
He was preceded in death by his beloved wife Marian who passed away just 11 months ago at the age of 98. He is also preceded in death by his brother, Joseph Dragonette. Dan is survived by his five children, Richard Dragonette (Peggy) of Chargin Falls, OH, Ann McClanathan (Loren) Manhattan Beach, CA, Steven Dragonette (Linda) Warwick, NY, Lisa Dragonette of Cape Coral, FL and Dana Nichols (Jeffery) of Lilburn, GA; ten grandchildren, Janet, Kimberly, Danielle, Matthew, Megan, Cristina, Max, Alexandra, Samantha and Madison; eleven great grandchildren, Cameron, Olivia, Drew, Sean, Cecilia, Nathaniel, Maya, Hope, Murray, Daisy and Annie; as well as many extended family members and friends. A visitation will be held from 4:00 PM – 7:00 PM, Thursday, May 9, 2024, at Fort Myers Memorial Gardens Funeral Home, 1589 Colonial Blvd., Fort Myers, FL 33907. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated 10:00 AM, Friday, May 10, 2024, at St. Francis Xavier Catholic Church, 2057 Cleveland Avenue, Fort Myers, FL 33901. Burial will follow the mass at Memorial Gardens Cemetery, Fort Myers, Fl.
Funeral arrangements have been entrusted to Fort Myers Memorial Gardens Funeral Home, 239-936-0555.
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