Daniel Gordon Santerre, 85
Dan McClelland
Daniel Gordon Santerre, age 85, of Tupper Lake, went home to be with Jesus his Savior and Lord on October 13, 2021.
Calling hours for Daniel were at the Frary Funeral Home at 24 Cliff Avenue on Tuesday, October 19 from 10a.m. to 12 p.m.. There was a Funeral Mass at St. Alphonsus Church that followed at 12:30p.m. with burial at Holy Name Cemetery immediately following.
Daniel was born on February 16, 1936 to George and Mae (Youmell) Santerre.
Daniel attended Tupper Lake High School, where he enjoyed playing football, basketball and running track for the Lumberjacks, graduating in 1956.
After graduation, he entered the United States Navy, serving primarily in San Diego, CA from 1956 to 1960 as a Navy Corpsman and two years in active reserve.
On January 17, 1959 he married the love his life, Neva Bliss.
Upon returning to Tupper Lake in 1960, Dan began working for the V.A. Hospital, later changing to Sunmount Developmental Center. Dan progressed in service, becoming an assistant director for the Underwood Community Home.
During this time, he was recognized as “Employee of the Year”, receiving the “Outstanding Service Award”. Daniel retired from Sunmount with 37 years of service in 1997.
Dan was a strong believer in serving God and his country. He became a Eucharistic Minister serving in the Christian Family Movement, the choir, serving daily mass and assisting in maintaining the church by helping painting it. Daniel was an active member of the Knights of Columbus, serving as a Fourth Degree Grand Knight, as well as the Tupper Lake Auxiliary Police, the American Legion, VFW, and he served on the Tupper Lake Veterans Honor Guard for over 50 plus years while commanding it for some of those years.
Dan enjoyed spending time with his family and friends. Teaching his children at a young age about God and country and being part of a family. Daniel loved gardening, his yearly trips to LaToque, Canada for trout fishing, camping, bingo, enjoying life and having fun.
Daniel was predeceased by his parents George and Mae (Youmell) Santerre; his loving wife Neva of 61 years who passed in 2020; a daughter Ann Santerre, a son Gordon Santerre; his brothers Manfred Santerre and Hurbin Santerre, his sisters Eleanor Sasz and Evelyn Kurdziel.
Dan is survived by his loving children Daniel (Cindy) Santerre, Mary (James) Shaheen, Claire Santerre (Pete Gilbert), Vincent Edward Santerre and Keyle Francoise Santerre; 10 grandchildren, 3 step-grandchildren and 11 great-grandchildren with another one on the way in 2022.
Funeral arrangements are under the direction of Frary Funeral home. In lieu of flowers please consider donating to the Tupper Lake Veteran Honor Guard, masses at St. Alphonsus Holy Name Church, or planting a tree in Daniel’s name.