Martha Elliott Litesey

Daniel John Zych was born 7/9/1952 and passed away on 1/30/2026, at the age of 73. He usually went by Dan, but was Danny to family and friends. He was born in Delaware to a mother of English and Irish heritage, and a father of Eastern European roots. His name, Daniel, came from his mother’s favorite song, “Oh, Danny Boy,” set to the beloved “Londonderry Air.” From the very beginning, music and meaning were woven into his life.

In his younger years, he was a true surf bum in Cocoa Beach, Florida, drawn to the ocean and the freedom it represented. It was there, during spring break from college, that he met his future wife, Ila Mildred “Millie” Zych. That meeting would shape the rest of his life.

Daniel was a hardworking man whenever his health allowed. Over the years, he worked at the Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA), ran and co-owned a gas station with his brother, apprenticed as a pad mechanic at NASA-following in his father’s footsteps- briefly helped build airplanes at Lockheed Martin, contributed to the foundation of several buildings as an ironworker, served as a stock clerk and Produce Manager at a grocery store, and in retirement, shelved books at the local library. He also frequently volunteered time during his retirement years at local food banks – unpacking donations, shelving books and organizing cans.

He will be remembered as the cook of the household, a storyteller who told the very best bedtime stories, and a grandfather who carried that tradition forward by writing books for his grandchildren. He played piano and guitar entirely by ear, often filling rooms with music for family and friends. He sang his daughters to sleep, especially cherishing the song “If I Had a Little Tiny Fiddle.” His daughters lovingly called him “Big Bog,” and he called them his “baby bogs” after tucking them in at night-small moments that became lifelong memories.

Though he was not a wealthy man, he was a collector, a hobbyist, and a dreamer. Daniel loved cars and motorcycles. In retirement, he once purchased a Harley-Davidson outright, determined to make riding it his “last hurrah.” His imagination was different than reality and he later gifted the bike to his son-in-law. That mix of impulsiveness, passion and generosity was part of who he was.

He valued health and fitness, followed regimented eating habits, and found peace in gardening. He struggled with mental illness, but instead of hiding from it he worked to understand and survive it. Often, you would find him with his nose in a book or an ink pen in hand, learning something new or writing stories and poems. He was liberal in his views, highly intelligent, and deeply engaging-someone you could talk to for hours.

Daniel is survived by his siblings Jim Zych and Patsy Zaffrey, as well as his daughters, Kimberly Weiser of Alexandria, Virginia, and Kelly Turner of Decatur, Georgia.

Daniel lived a life of creativity, struggle, love, and resilience. He was imperfect, complicated, and deeply loved-and he will be remembered for the warmth he gave, the stories he told, and the love he held for his family.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI), supporting mental health care and services for those living with schizophrenia.

The Smith & Miller Funeral Home is honored to serve the family of Mr. Daniel Zych.