He married Annette Joy Kelly at the Christian Temple on June 21, 1980, by the Rev Peter Moon. They welcomed their daughter, Kelly Joy, on August 8, 1981.
He graduated from Wellsville High School in the Class of 1971. He attended Canisius College in Buffalo, NY. He transferred to Alfred University. He graduated from the Police Academy in 1981, becoming a Sworn Police Officer. He had a life-long love of learning, especially History, and travel. We were so blessed to have traveled to Hawaii in September 2024.
He worked as a teenager at Giant Food Mart, thru college. After college he continued to work at the Giant Food Mart, working his way to Assistant Manager. He left the Giant in 1978 to work at the Allegany County Sheriff’s Department as a Corrections Officer. He left the Sheriff’s Department in 1980. He was employed as a Police Officer in Willing, Whitesville and the Wellsville Police Departments. He worked for theWellsville Police Department for 28 years part time while operating Medical Transport Service.
He began the first commercial Ambulance Service in Allegany County, Medical Transport Service, along with his wife, Annette, and his mother, Ruth S. Marsh, on September 1, 1979. Medical Transport Service was started with one vehicle that was a van converted to an ambulance. Dan, Annette and a few other people did the calls. The business was sold to Scott Lanphier on July 1, 2024. At the time it was sold, MTS has 75 employees and 12 vehicles.
He was a life-time member of the Wellsville Volunteer Ambulance Corp. He belonged to the United NY Ambulance Network (UNYAN); a founding member of AIM; member and former treasurer of the Southwestern Regional EMS Council; Participated in numerous parades around the county. He was one of the first members of the Wellsville Rescue Squad. He joined to play in the Rescue Squad Band playing the trombone as a teenager. He was a Critical Care Technician. He became a staunch advocate for the Critical Care Technician at the state and local level. He received the Bureau of Emergency Medical Services and Trauma Systems, 2023 EMS Agency for Recruitment & Retention Innovation award. He coached Kelly’s Town League Summer Softball, supporting the teams without seeking recognition. He attended every soccer, volleyball and softball game Kelly played, plus band and choir concerts. He was a Ham Radio Operator. He was a long time member of the Christian Temple, serving as Treasurer, Sunday School Teacher and Deacon. When Christian Temple merged with the United Church of Christ, Grace United became our home.
He is survived by his wife, Annette, their daughter, Kelly of Slingerlands, NY, and his two fur babies, Josie & Shiloh. He is survived by his step mother, Freda Gardiner Kelly of Canisteo. He is also survived by his brother-in-law, Jonathan (Robin) Kelly of Scio, and his sisters-in-law, Theresa Hand of Henrietta, and Sharon (Gary) Lamphear, of Dunkirk, NY. He had especially close relationships with his niece and nephews: Bob (Jenn) Hand of Dansville; Laura (Quentin Sutton) Hand of Henrietta; Joshua (Melanie) Marsh of Monroeville, PA; Christopher (Julia) Gardiner; Patrick (Magdelena) Gardiner, bonus daughter, Amanda (Jason) Chimics, and granddaughter, Trinity, Other surviving nieces and nephews are: Jackie (Ed) Shea of Wellsville; Jeremy (Abby) Marsh of Belmont; Kristie (Bruce) Ames; Jodi Lynn (Joe) Hines; Joy (Randy) Brunn; Mathew Abbey; and Bethany (Heather) Abbey. He was blessed with incredibly special great nieces and nephews: Joshua McFarland, Melanie Sutton, Quentin Broly Sutton, Maggie Tallman, Ethan Hines, and Drew Hines. Joshua, Melanie and Broly are really our bonus grandchildren.
He was predeceased by his parents, Don & Ruth; his father- & mother-in-law, Dean L and Joyce Kelly. His brother, David Marsh, in June 2022. He was also predeceased by his life-long friend, James Cicirello.
Friends are invited to call on Wednesday, October 23, from 2pm to 4pm and 7pm to 9 pm. at the J. W. Embser Sons Funeral Home, 34 W. State Street in Wellsville. The Funeral will be Thursday, October 24, 2024, at 10 am. at Grace United Church, 289 N. Main Street in Wellsville with the Rev Diane Cox presiding. Interment will follow at Heritage Hill Cemetery in Arkport.
Annette and Kelly would like to express our deepest thanks to Scott Lanphier, Wendy Frungillo, and the employees of Medical Transport Service for their unwavering support during this difficult time and Home Care & Hospice, especially Melissa Deming.
In lieu of flowers please consider memorial donations to the SPCA Serving Allegany County or the David A. Howe Public Library. To leave online condolences, please visit www.embserfuneralhome.com.
