Daniel Joseph Waina

January 21, 1933 - April 19, 2021

Daniel Joseph Waina, 88, of Mentor, OH, passed away April 19, 2021, peacefully at home with family. He was born January 21, 1933 in Cleveland, OH, of Lithuanian immigrants (Ellis Island). Dan attended St. Aloysius, graduated from Benedictine High School, and attended Fenn College in Cleveland, OH. After high School, as a butcher, he became a member of the Amalgamated Meat Cutters of Butcher Workmen of North America. Later, he enlisted with the U.S. Coast Guard (Staten Island, NY) where he was a crew member upon the vessels patrolling New York City Harbor. For over 35 years, he was a proud employee of the Fisher Body Division of General Motors (Coit Rd) as a Master Tool and Die craftsman. He also successfully owned and operated Waina & Sons Excavating, Mentor, OH, for over 40 years. Dan was deeply committed to his Catholic faith and thoroughly enjoyed serving his parish communities throughout his life. He had an adventurous spirit and looked forward to introducing everyone he met to the activities he loved. He was an avid lifetime snow skier, not only teaching his children to ski at Mont Chalet (Chesterland, OH) and enjoying a lifetime of memories skiing with his family and friends at Peek’n Peak Ski Resort (Clymer, NY), but also traveling with his family to many other ski destinations. He was a 40+ year member of the National Ski Patrol earning NSP’s highest volunteer distinction. He enjoyed bicycling and, as a 10-year participant, was delighted in joining others in completing the 450-mile RAGBRAI ride across Iowa. Growing up near the shores of Lake Erie, he handcrafted his first boat when he was 12-years old alongside his first dog where he discovered his love of water and dogs. Breeding German Shepherds for a short while, he always had a dog by his side that loved him as much as he loved them. His tradition for making Sunday morning waffles was one of the many bedrocks of family time. He cherished being with his children, grandchildren, great grandchildren, and numerous nieces and nephews laughing and sharing his passion for life creating unforgettable memories. All of this culminated at Findley Lake, NY, where, for over 50 years, he especially enjoyed extending his life experiences for generations to come and expressing his love of faith, family and friends. He is survived by his loving companion, Vicki Smith; daughter, Mary (Robert) Green, and sons, Gregory (Nancy), Dennis, Patrick, Daniel A. (Rebecca Weaver), Thomas, Joseph (Christine), Michael (Beth Portner), and Christopher (Mirella) Waina; 16 grandchildren; 14 great-grandchildren; and many close nieces and nephews. Daniel was preceded in death by his wife, Donna Mae Waina (Ryan); his parents, Joseph and Petranella Waina; and his sisters, Ruth (Frederick) Waldhauer, Alice (Arnold) Ayers, and Patricia Waina. Family and friends will be received from 10-12 p.m., Saturday, April 24, 2021 at St. Mary of the Assumption Church, 8560 Mentor Ave, Mentor, OH 44060. A funeral mass will follow at 12 p.m. at the church. Burial with military honors will take place in All Souls Cemetery, Chardon, OH. Masks are required and social distancing is encouraged during all publicly attended events. Arrangements entrusted to Brunner Sanden Deitrick Funeral Home and Cremation Center, 8466 Mentor Ave., Mentor, OH 44060. In lieu of flowers, contributions in Daniel’s memory may be made to: Christ Our Hope (St. Matthias) Catholic Church Cemetery Fund, 1762 French Creek Mina Road, Clymer, NY 14724; or the National Ski Patol (www.nsp.org). Please offer condolences at www.brunners.com