Daniel ‘Danny’ Thomas III, loved being on the water
Daniel “Danny” Thomas III, 77, passed away peacefully Wednesday, Feb. 24, 2021 in Dover.
Danny was a native Delawarean, born Nov. 29, 1943, in Kent County. His father, Daniel Thomas Jr., was born in Philadelphia, Pa., and his mother, Edith Melson Thomas, in Lewes. Both parents worked long hours in and outside their home, instilling in their children a strong Christian faith, work ethic and respect for others. Their proud family home was carved out of farmland south of Dover and remains prominent today.
Danny graduated from Caesar Rodney High School in 1961. In his youth, Danny enjoyed drag racing in his beefed-up Chevy II at regional drag strips, garnering many trophies. As a teenager, he began working for Harry Miller’s Shell service station in Rodney Village, Dover where he plied his skills as an automobile mechanic. Danny was always there lending a hand for the many friends he made along the way. Following a brief stint in the U.S. Navy he was honorably and medically discharged. He took ownership of his own Shell service station in north Dover.
Danny met and married Christine McAllister in June 1968. The following year Chris gave birth to a beautiful baby girl, Angela. She was the light of his life. He later sold insurance. With his gentle personality and skilled interaction with others, he was successful in various retail sales ventures. His true first love was that of being on the water. As a licensed boat captain, he operated his own charter fishing craft, the Super Shark, in the Atlantic Ocean and on the Delaware Bay. He loved sport fishing and the precious time spent with his friends. Fuel powered the boat; fun times and laughter powered the crew and passengers. They occasionally caught a few fish. Many in the local Amish community knew and worked with Danny. He enjoyed driving his truck as he ferried Amish masons to and from work sites in southern Delaware and nearby Maryland.
He is predeceased by his father, mother, grandparents, aunts, uncles, and nephew Ed, as well as his beloved cousin, Ann.
Danny is survived by his daughter Angela Jacquemin and his grandchildren Lauren and Scott in Connecticut; his sister Barbara Thomas Martin (Ed) of Dover; and niece Sandra Martin-Hatch (Cliff). His best friend Bob Sanderson and wife Cindy of Dover kept Danny’s spirits high and his will strong.
A Celebration of Life Service will be held in early summer during the boating season.
Letters of condolence may be sent and guestbook signed at www.torbertfuneral.com.
