Daniel J. McConlogue

Daniel J. McConlogue passed away Aug. 31. His wife of 69 years, Evelyn, was by his side.

Dan was born in Greenwich Village May 9, 1927. He celebrated his 90th birthday in May with his family and friends and, as usual, lots of laughter.

He served in the U.S. Navy during World War II and his love of country and the sea persisted throughout his life. He was a member of American Legion Post 803 in Southold, a past member of the Knights of Columbus and an active member in his church, serving on the Parish Council as a catechist and, along with his beloved wife, as a PreCana instructor for decades.

By occupation, Dan began his career in the Brooklyn Navy Yard, then as a New York City bus mechanic and, after scoring the highest in New York State, began his career in civil service, retiring from the Supreme Court as Court Clerk III.

Dan was known for his inventive and creative mind, his love of golf (and his golf buddies), his dancing and his adventures in sailing. He had a great appreciation of nature, of music (he began piano lessons at 90) and his ability to truly enjoy being with people.

After living in Queens, Dan and his bride moved to Levittown, where they raised their family of six children. They never recovered from burying two of their sons: Patrick and Joseph “Joby.”

In the early ’70s, Dan convinced Evelyn that he could — and in fact, did — build their own house in East Marion. It is a testament to Dan, exhibiting his creativity and his love for his family, all of whom helped in building the house. It is a place where he enjoyed making his famous pancakes, sipping a glass of local wine and starting any conversation, right up until the end, with, “So tell me about YOU!”

He is survived by his wife, Evelyn, with whom he shared a deeply loving marriage; four children, Daniel (Rose) of Fort Myers, Fla., Maureen Cordts of Yorba Linda, Calif., Agnes (Phil) Ferro of Setauket and Liam (Galina), of Easton, Pa.; 11 loving and devoted grandchildren; nine great-grandchildren; and an extended family of nieces and nephews, with whom he had a close relationship.

Dan’s favorite song was “Make Someone Happy,” sung by Jimmy Durante. He lived by these words: “It is so important to make someone happy. Make just one someone happy… And you will be happy too.”

The family received visitors Sept. 3 at DeFriest-Grattan Funeral Home in Southold, where American Legion Post 803 conducted services. Father Richard Hoerning celebrated the Liturgy of Christian Burial Sept. 4 at St. Agnes R.C. Church in Greenport. Interment, with U.S. Navy honors, took place at East Marion Cemetery.

This is a paid notice.