Daniel Lee Gifford

Daniel Lee Gifford, 27, passed away peacefully on February 29, 2016 at Memorial Sloan Kettering Hospital in NYC surrounded by best friends and family as a result of an aggressive battle with Leukemia. Dan was born in Poland, NY. His family moved to East Greenbush, NY where he graduated from Columbia HS. He then went on to the University of Buffalo where he graduated summa cum laude in Civil Engineering. Dan was employed most recently at Hansen Rice in Hollister, CA. Dan was an avid soccer player throughout his life. Since graduation, Dan's free spirit took him across the country followed by a journey around the world, mostly on his bike, which could be described as the most free-spirited journey ever. The number of people across the world whom Dan has emotionally touched is mind-blowing. He lived every day to the fullest and wanted for nothing. He was predeceased by his grandmother, Bunny Lee Al-Chalabi. Dan is survived by his parents, Donald Gifford of Princetown and Shireen Gifford of Niskayuna; sister, Jenna Gifford of East Windsor, NJ; grandparents, Warren and Inge Gifford of Princetown and Kamal Al-Chalabi of Sparks, NV; several aunts, uncles and cousins and many amazing friends around the world. Services will be private. The Family would like to thank the nurses and doctors from the 12th floor of MSK for their incredible love and care for Dan. Dan would request that all people strive to do that one thing they "always wanted to" do. If desired, memorial contributions may be made to Memorial Sloan Kettering Hospital at mskcc.org.