COOPERSTOWN - Daniel Kenneth Van Dyke, 69, passed away unexpectedly with family members at his side, Wednesday, Nov. 27 at Bassett Hospital, after a brief illness.

As a lifelong resident of Cooperstown, he had many, many friends and nearly as many relatives and he loved each of them without reservation. After graduating from Cooperstown High School in 1973, he joined his father, Kenneth and grandfather, Danny Romano in the operation of Danny's Food Market, the family business. As Dan's aspirations were in another direction, he soon set out on his own path leading him to Idaho and Florida before returning to Cooperstown.

In the late 1970s he started working with his friend Charlie Allison (and later joined by Sam Ayers) their partnership blossomed into the Cooperstown Construction Company in 1989. They have been building and remodeling homes in the Cooperstown area ever since. Their reputation for perfection has made them very popular contractors for more than 40 years.

His life was devoted to family, friends, his dogs and the outdoors. He loved hunting and was an active member and past president of the Cooperstown Fish and Game Club, and also was a steadfast member of "Wee Doech an' Doris" hunting club, which fittingly translates from Gaelic to "a small drink at the door" for a parting friend. One of his friends described him best as "one of the great ones. He loved this town and loved his family. He lit up a room with his smile. He lived a life doing what he loved best. We should all be that lucky."

He was predeceased by his parents Agnes (Gorence) and Kenneth Van Dyke and is survived by his son Logan Van Dyke and Logan's partner Brittney, a sister Michele and her husband Jerry Townsend and many cousins, nieces and nephews.

There will be a private family burial as per Dan's wishes and a celebration of his life at a later date. Friends can remember Dan, if they choose, by donating in his memory to the Susquehanna SPCA, 5082 NY State Highway 28, Cooperstown, NY 13326.

Arrangements are under the care of Tillapaugh Funeral Service, Cooperstown.