Daniel E. Gregory, Sr., 88, of Vernon, passed away on Sunday, September 29, 2024 at the Wynn Hospital, Utica. He was born on September 21, 1936, in Utica, a son of the late Earl and Olive (Constable) Gregory and graduated from Clinton High School. On October 18, 1958, he was united in marriage to Marilyn Jean Mair in the Church of the Annunciation, Clark Mills. She predeceased him on July 2, 2013.

Daniel served in the United States Army from 1959 until 1962. After that time, he worked for Revere Copper Products, Rome, until his retirement. He was a member of the Vernon Volunteer Fire Department and enjoyed tent camping with his family in the early years, vegetable gardening and canning, cooking (various specialties such as fried dough, headcheese, hot potato salad, sauerkraut, omelettes), playing games (most recently Kings in the Corner and Dominos Mexican Train), and in retirement going to garage sales with his wife Marilyn as well as spending winters with her in Florida. Daniel happily shared his humble wealth of useful knowledge and was considered by many to be a “family” handyman/fix-it and project problem solver. His grandchildren also enjoyed hearing stories about his childhood adventures and shared knowledge on various topics. The family will dearly miss our times of calling /Grandpad videochatting or stopping in to see him up until his final days to ask for his recollection/knowledge on many topics (including his farm family background).

He is survived by three children-Daniel Gregory Jr., fiancé Michelle Stevens and her daughter Liz; his daughter Carrie Capito and husband Patrick; and his son Andrew Gregory Sr. and wife Charlene. Daniel also is survived by his six cherished grandchildren- Adam Trost, Christopher Gregory and his fiancé, Tonya Terenzetti, Andrew Gregory, Jr., Ben Capito and his fiancé Jena Contreras, Molly (Capito) List and her husband Dylan, Julie (Capito) Hernandez and her husband Angel as well as two precious great grandsons-Kieran Capito and Dominic Trost. Additionally, Daniel is survived by his dear nieces and nephews-Bruce (Susan) McMullen, Sharon McMullen, Judy (Ron) Gaudin, Glenn (Anna) McMullen, and Alice (Daniel) Yoxall and many grand nieces and nephews.

Daniel was also predeceased by his only sister (who he always said was jealous of his curly hair) Mary Ann and her husband Gerald McMullen.

A memorial service will be held at 1pm on November 23, 2024 from the R.P. Heintz Funeral Home, 10 E. Park Row, Clinton, NY 13323.

Interment will follow in Maple Grove Cemetery, Vernon.

Friends are invited and may call at the funeral home from 11am to 1pm, prior to the service.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the American Diabetes Association.