Silviu Dan, Sr.

Silviu Dan, Sr. was a 1943 graduate of North Tonawanda High School, where he was a member of the swim and football teams and the swing choir. After high school, at age 17, he bravely enlisted in the Army and honorably served in the Air Corps until 1945, when he was honorably discharged.

Mr. Dan flew as Waist Gunner on a B-24 Bomber during WWII. He was captured and became a German prisoner of war when his plane was shot down, leaving him in a Germany prison camp for more than three months. Due to his dedication and sacrifice, Mr. Dan was awarded the Purple Heart, the Air Medal, the Good Conduct Medal, the New York State Conspicuous Service Medal, as well as several other medals and ribbons.

Mr. Dan worked and retired from the North Tonawanda Post office. He was a long-standing and faithful member of St. George Orthodox Parish in Buffalo, where he was a member of the choir. Mr. Dan also served on his church council, and in his hometown of North Tonawanda, he was involved in forming the football team called the NT Loggers. He was also a former member of the Deerwood Golf Committee.

Always involved in his community, Mr. Dan was an organizer, sponsor, officer and coach for Little League baseball and football. He was a member of the Renaissance Golf League, the National Disabled American Veterans Roll of Honor and the local Disabled Americans Veterans Roll of Honor Chapter #120. In addition, Mr. Dan was a member of the North Tonawanda Senior Center, Friends of the Riviera Theatre and a Rescue Fire Company volunteer.

In addition to his love for his country and his community, Mr. Dan genuinely loved his family. He passed away on May 26, 2016 with his wife, Bonnie, their four children, and his many grandchildren by his side.