Dan will probably go down in history as one of the most interesting
active and generous persons to every occupy space on this planet.
Let’s take a look at this fellow and see if you don’t agree.
He
was born in Detroit, attended Guardian Angel School in his younger
years and later at age 13, his family moved to Cheboygan, Michigan
where he finished high school and learned to play the trumpet. His
musical background later played a significant role in his Navy
hitch, which began in 1943. After processing through Great Lakes,
he was assigned to the Cruiser Birmingham as, of all things, a
bugler. His ship spent the next two years in the Pacific Theater
where, after being hit on three occasions, it lost 2/3 of its
original company of 1,200 men. The survivors of the Birmingham
spent their 31st reunion this summer at Bay City.
Dan
began his civilian career by joining the young Blue Cross and Blue
Shield organization in September of 1946. The first year, he worked in
the Purchasing Department under Lou Merrit. Shortly thereafter in 1947,
he joined the sales force and worked in the downtown and downriver
offices, before being promoted first as Manager of the Alpena Office and
then the larger Bay City location. In 1953 his career took him to
Kalamazoo where he filled in for Burt Mattson who took over the new Auto
Groups department. Dan continued to serve in several other marketing
areas which included the East Side office, Flint and finally in 1965 to
Market Relations as a Labor Rep reporting to Earl Harris. Ten years
later he left the Marketing Division and worked in the Hospital Relation
Field until he retired in 1988. Retirement didn’t really slow him down
as he found other interests to pursue such as selling telephone systems
and spending time in a local insurance agency. In addition, he owns
several properties in the state which he manages and sells to interested
buyers.
Dan
has also contributed considerable time as an active member in the BCBSM
Retiree Association. He served on the Social Committee for several
years as well as acting as the Coordinator for the Bay City/Saginaw
Satellite retiree group which meets monthly and includes other local
retirees such as Don Clune, Don Randall, Evelyn Smerdon, Nina Palmer,
Betty Doster, Barbara Morris, Mary Schofield and Brenda (Griggs)
Mahoney.
When
not filling these roles, he spends some time on the golf links and
belongs to a private hunt club in the Harrisville area. Once a year he
utilizes this facility to invite several of his compatriots to spend a
few days pursuing the fine arts of salmon fishing, billiards, card
playing and golf.
Dan
makes good us of his Irish wit to relate a number of robust folk tales
and keep us entertained. However, I think he has given up on his
musical career, because I had never ever heard him play the trumpet.
He is
married and with his lovely wife Judy does some traveling and recently
took a trip to the Canadian Rockies. The reside in Bay City and Judy is
a teacher in the local school system.
Now
you know why this guy is so interesting stays active and exudes
generosity. Oh, yes he also asked me to add that he is handsome.
