We created a GatheringUs memorial to celebrate the life of Daniel Farquharson. Collecting your stories and memories here will offer us great comfort. Click on the heart to let us know you were here and to receive email updates. Thank you for contributing to this lasting memorial.
OBITUARY
Daniel had a heart attack in his home in Arlington Virginia and passed away on December 20, 2021. He was an active member of Calvary Methodist Church as well as Our Savior Lutheran Church & School. Daniel participated in several singing groups, one group of friends met outdoors to sing gospel hymns as well as the DC Shape Note Singers that regularly met to celebrate together. We will hear from them during the memorial. He was an avid... see more
Daniel had a heart attack in his home in Arlington Virginia and passed away on December 20, 2021. He was an active member of Calvary Methodist Church as well as Our Savior Lutheran Church & School. Daniel participated in several singing groups, one group of friends met outdoors to sing gospel hymns as well as the DC Shape Note Singers that regularly met to celebrate together. We will hear from them during the memorial. He was an avid walker and joined many groups (Walk-Fit Group, Fast Forwards' Walking Group, Potomac Appalachian Trail Club) to enjoy the greater DC metro area. Some met to walk the mall others hiked quite a distance. He was a loyal friend and was a thoughtful participant to all who needed his support. He grew up in rural New York and moved to Arlington to work for General Services Administration in 1972, he loved the activities and events that were available in the DC metro area. He is survived by a brother Dennis (Arlete) of Brazil and a sister Sylvia (Brian) Gugino living in a home that has been in the family for 4 generations in Pekin, New York. Niece Anne Farquharson and nephews Lee and Glenn Gugino will miss his frequent visits and kind, interested and generous involvement in their lives. Many cousins and friends will miss him in the coming years. He was son of Verna (Strassburg) and Lee Farquharson, nephew of Harland, Orville, Everen and Myrlin (Strassburg) and Mary, John, Elizabeth and George (Farquharson). They all are waiting to welcome him into the next life. Daniel enjoyed travel and visited many locations in Brazil with Dennis and family. He traveled to Africa with friends and served in the Army stationed in Thailand. He participated in historical reenactments with Sylvia’s family often coming to distant events at Fort Niagara, NY or the 250th anniversary of Washington Crossing the Delaware. When his nephews were participating in The Revolutionary War Event at Mount Vernon he would somehow find them among all the other 300+ American Soldiers for a visit, appreciating their shared interest in history
Daniel’s passing was a great shock.
I always imagined him living to 100. He was always attentive to good health habits. Ahead of his time, as a teenager I remember him reading nutrition books by Adele Davis and making unusual healthy recipes with... moreDaniel’s passing was a great shock.
I always imagined him living to 100. He was always attentive to good health habits. Ahead of his time, as a teenager I remember him reading nutrition books by Adele Davis and making unusual healthy recipes with ingredients that are now commonplace but were at that time in Niagara County exotic like avocados and yogurt.
His passing has made me reflect on the many phases of life as a brother. In the early years we had chores to do on our family farm and being 5 years younger my contribution was comparatively minimal but Daniel always liked having me nearby and often found an opportunity to be a math, biology or physics teacher as we fed the pigs and brought hay for the cows or picked peaches and prunes.
Throughout my life he was always opening new horizons for me. As a young person he faithfully read the New Yorker, tried to understand all the cartoons and tried to explain them to me. He elicited my help in memorizing Latin declensions. He was always a voracious reader of books and could carry on a conversation about any subject. It was infuriating when you didn’t agree with him because he always had studied the subject and had a rationale for his views.
Niagara county family and other cultural roots were very important to him. We spent most of our lives living a continent apart or in different countries. This made time traveling together really special and great fun. When I lived in England I remember traveling to Scotland with him as we visited the 16th century Invercauld Castle the ancestral home of the Farquharson Clan and visited with the Clan Chieftain who explained our ancient family history.
Years later my wife Arlete was wonderful at thinking of places we could take him to visit diverse parts of this beautiful country of Brazil. Memorable on his last visit was a trip to Brasilia and on other visits we went to such places as the Southern border region where we saw the grand Foz Iguacu waterfalls that rivals Niagara in its beauty and majesty. He was always eager to take that extra hike, bicycle ride or other adventure as it presented itself.
Daniel was very special with his niece Anne and brought her not only unique and thoughtful presents but more important, special memories.
He will be missed by his Brazilian family and by others who he befriended here on his visits. less
Mary Ann OrecchioDaniel was in our walking group and was a great guy. He would join us for coffee after walking and he would tell us about his travel. He was such an interesting guy and was nice to everyone. When he wasn't showing up for walks, we wondered where he... moreDaniel was in our walking group and was a great guy. He would join us for coffee after walking and he would tell us about his travel. He was such an interesting guy and was nice to everyone. When he wasn't showing up for walks, we wondered where he was, especially when he didn't show up for the Christmas party. All of us will miss him a lot. He was a great guy.
January 31, 2022
Wilfred DanielsonWhen I met Daniel at a senior center in Arlington, Va., and said I was Wil Danielson, he enjoyed replying that he was Daniel from Wilson. He last played croquet with us on Oct. 22 and carried our heavy croquet bag to the storage shed. He then walked... moreWhen I met Daniel at a senior center in Arlington, Va., and said I was Wil Danielson, he enjoyed replying that he was Daniel from Wilson. He last played croquet with us on Oct. 22 and carried our heavy croquet bag to the storage shed. He then walked about a mile, while I biked, to catch a bus. I also enjoyed Daniel's company at the Walk-Fit and discussion groups. It was good to hear the stories about him and the commendation. Thank you. Blessings.
I wanted to say I miss Dan as he was always a good friend at GSA when we both worked there. He sometimes talked about his brother in Brazil and he'd discuss things that happened in that country and to his brother's family. He was always interesting to... moreI wanted to say I miss Dan as he was always a good friend at GSA when we both worked there. He sometimes talked about his brother in Brazil and he'd discuss things that happened in that country and to his brother's family. He was always interesting to talk with. I was sorry to find out he passed away. less
Dan and I were friends, first at work and then by email. He shared pictures of his travels to Africa and Brazil and of his nephews at Fort Niagara, NY. He spoke of them often. And with pride and even a little bit of envy.
Daniel was a faithful and valued member of the Folklore Society of Greater Washington Gospel Sing. In pre-COVID days we met monthly in different homes to sing and to enjoy a potluck dinner together. Here is a photo from December 2018.
Very grateful for the opportunity to get to know Dan over the course of many years living across the street from him. He always made a point to stop by for a quick chat or a friendly hello when we ran into each other in the street. When he would return... moreVery grateful for the opportunity to get to know Dan over the course of many years living across the street from him. He always made a point to stop by for a quick chat or a friendly hello when we ran into each other in the street. When he would return form his many journeys (around town or abroad) he would share stories and often had treats to share with my children. We will miss his presence in our neighborhood. Our heartfelt condolences to the family. less
What a kind and interesting man. Dan traveled with our small group to Kenya a few years ago; always eager to see what Africa had to offer, and to share his unique insights. This is a sad loss indeed. Our deepest sympathy to his family and friends.