Daniel
Age - 76
November 28, 2023
On November 20th, 2023, we bid farewell to a remarkable soul, Daniel S. Florey II, who at 76 years old, peacefully concluded his valiant eight-year battle with cancer at his home in Thomas Township. Throughout this challenging journey, he exemplified unwavering courage and gave his all, leaving an indelible mark on the hearts of those who knew him. Daniel embodied kindness, love, loyalty, and patriotism, bringing warmth and joy to everyone fortunate enough to share in his presence. Born on July 21st, 1947, in Saginaw, the only child of his late parents, Daniel and Louise Florey, he pursued a life filled with passion and purpose. His interests were vast, ranging from genealogy-a hobby he engaged in since the age of 18-to reading books and the Detroit Free Press, and watching documentaries and news on all stations. He found solace in singing along to tunes on YouTube, and his fandom for the Detroit Lions saw the family hold on to season tickets for nearly four decades. Daniel maintained a lifelong subscription to Time Magazine, reading it every week beginning when he was in college. Educated at St. Mary's Catholic High School and Ferris State University, Daniel graduated in 1970 with a B. S. in Pharmacy. His commitment to his community spanned 40 years, as he served as a pharmacist, notably with the KMart / Sears Corporation for 37 years, working with the same partner for 28 of them. His dedication went beyond dispensing medicine; he knew the names and stories of countless customers at the Gratiot and State Street stores. In 1974, he crossed paths with Linda, a pharmacy technician at KMart, and after a year and a half of dating they were married on June 16th, 1976, in Yuma, Arizona. Their shared love for Neil Diamond's music became a cornerstone of their journey together. They flew back to Michigan the day after their wedding and saw him perform at Pine Knob. Throughout their 47 years of marriage, they went to numerous concerts, including Elvis at the Silverdome. Linda survives him, along with his son Dan and his wife Kate (granddaughters Thora and Athena), residing in Burlington, Massachusetts, and his daughter Cris and her husband Ralph (granddaughters Noelle and Savannah), located in Gaylord, Michigan. He is also survived by a sister-in-law and her husband, Dorthy and Gary Hakes. Growing up, he forged close bonds with his first cousins Diane, Donny, Candy, Scott, Kenny, and Kevin, who he played with and saw weekly. A playful, loving father and grandfather, Daniel created lasting memories for his family. He painted and cut baselines in the yard for softball in the spring and football in the fall, and even built wooden goalposts. His dedication to family extended to acting silly, playing games, and taking trips and vacations. The family also went camping and to many amusement parks. Every beach he went to, you would find him sculpting the state of Michigan in the sand. His 37 years of active and inactive service in the U. S. Army and Michigan National Guard were a source of immense pride. From his initial enlistment, direct commission to officer and reaching the rank of Lieutenant Colonel before retirement, Daniel dedicated himself to the service of his country and state. Notably, he served during Desert Shield and Storm, deploying to Saudi Arabia with the 207th Combat Evacuation Hospital. His commitment to duty was not just an obligation but a privilege and honor. He was a member of the Saginaw Valley VFW Post 9809. His passion for genealogy, sparked at the age of 18, showcased his tenacity and love for uncovering family history. In a time before modern tools, he traversed multiple states, visiting courthouses, cemeteries, libraries and churches in pursuit of knowledge. A proud member of the Saginaw Genealogical Society for many years, Daniel not only traced his roots but inspired countless others to embark on their own journeys of self-discovery. In the tapestry of Daniel's life, woven with love, dedication, and service, his memory will forever be a source of inspiration and comfort to those who were privileged to know him. The family would like to mention and thank the cancer care community that helped prolong his life and give his family additional memories: doctors of all specialties, the interventional radiology teams, dedicated nurses and assistants, Covenant VNA Palliative and Hospice Care, and the drug and diagnostic companies helping bring therapies and hope to so many. Daniel's family will be present to receive visitors from 10:30 AM until Daniel's 11:30 AM Military Honors & Sharing of Memories on Thursday, December 28, 2023 at Skorupski Family Funeral Home & Cremation Services, 1550 Midland Rd. , between State & Gratiot. A reception will follow in The Wesley Room at Skorupski's. Memorial contributions may be directed to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital. Expressions of sympathy may be shared with the family online at www. skorupskis. com.Show more
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