Daniel G. Gardner, 88, after a long illness, died on Thursday, July 8th, 2010 surrounded by his family at the Glendale Nursing Home.
Daniel was born on a farm in Allenton, Wisconsin on July 28th, 1921. His family moved to Waverly, Iowa when he was ten. After graduating from high school in Waverly, Daniel joined the United States Navy on November 15th, 1939 embarking on a 21 year career, 13 of those years which were served either at sea or on foreign soil. His first ship assignment was aboard the battleship the USS Mississippi and lasted 55 months. He advanced through 7 enlisted ranks becoming for a time the youngest Warrant Officer in US Navy history. Aboard the Mississippi, Daniel participated in Neutrality Patrol convoy duty in the North Atlantic in the months before the attacks on Pearl Harbor. One of the casualties of the attack included his cousin Lt. J.G. Al Schmitt who was the first chaplain to die in the war. Two days after Pearl Harbor, the Mississippi was redeployed from Iceland to the South Pacific where Daniel participated in several important battles including the invasion of the Fiji Islands, the liberation of the Aleutian Islands, the invasion of the Gilbert Islands, the Marshall Island campaign including assaults on Kwajalein, Wojte, and Kaveiny, New Ireland, and the Kurli Islands campaign. Daniel was proud of his wartime service on the Mississippi and was relieved to have escaped unscathed from an explosion on the Mississippi that killed 43 of his shipmates. Daniel said before every meal, “Say a prayer for the boys over there.” Daniel also served on the submarine tenders the USS Sperry and the USS Nereus, and the aircraft carrier. USS Bennington. Daniel served in the Seabees for two years and was stationed in various times at Great Lakes, Seattle, San Diego, Guam, Brooklyn, Japan, and Scotia.
In 1951, he met the love of his life, Geraldine Jordan in Yokohama, Japan, who worked as a civilian for the US 8th Army. They married in San Diego in 1952 and had three children. In 1960, Daniel and Gerry chose to settle down in Scotia with their three kids. Daniel retired as a Chief Warrant Officer-4 rank, earning 9 medals and decorations for his service in WWII and Korea. Following his retirement from the Navy, Daniel served as deputy supervisor for the town of Glenville and worked for Clifford R. Gray Electric and Harold Clune Electric. He also worked for General Electric for 15 years, retiring in 1983. He was an active parishioner at St. Josephs Church in Scotia, serving on the Parish Council, as an usher, and was a Third Degree Member of the Knights of Columbus.
He loved going to Mets games, rooting for the Green Bay Packers, barbecuing, ushering at St. Josephs Church, reading about American history, telling jokes, and making people happy. He gave more than he received, sending three kids through college and when he was a young sailor in the Navy, sending his paycheck home to Mom and Dad.
Daniel was a devoted husband, father, grandfather, brother, and son who provided love, good humor, and encouragement to all he came into contact with. Along with his wife of 58 years, Gerry, he took a particular joy in spending time with his grandchildren and family.
Survivors include his beloved wife, Geraldine H. (Jordan) Gardner; two sons, Dr. Michael J. Gardner of Guilderland and Christopher H. Gardner and his wife Colleen of Niskayuna; his daughter, Mary M. Parks and her husband Kenneth of Burnt Hills. Dan leaves behind his cherished grandchildren: Christopher Daniel Parks, Caitlin and Caroline Gardner; sisters, Juanita Close of Waverly, IA, Agnes Reif of Hollywood, FL and Patricia of Davenport, IA. Mr. Gardner is also survived by his brother Jude Gardner in Omaha, NE and predeceased by a brother: Vincent Gardner.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated Monday, July 12, at 10 AM at St. Joseph's Roman Catholic Church, 236 First St. Scotia with Fr. John Lanese officiating. Interment to follow at Memory's Garden. Relatives and friends may call on the family Sunday 5 PM to 7 PM at Glenville Funeral Home, 9 Glenridge Rd. Glenville (just of Route 50).
Donations to Alzheimer's Association or to St. Joseph's Church (Parish office) 45 MacArthur Drive, Scotia, NY 12302 in memory of Daniel G. Gardner.
