Daniel Gries

Daniel Gries of Lost Nation Road, Groveton died on August 6, 2022 surrounded by family, friends, and music in the beauty of the home he built himself. He is survived by his wife, Jennifer Bulson; his sons Gabriel Gries of Northfield, Massachusetts and Jesse (Karla Helland) Gries of Santa Fe, New Mexico; his grandchildren Lucas Gries, Aiden Gries, and Leina Gries, who loved his sense of humor and zest for life, and his former wife, Ellen Astle. Daniel loved his family, but also his dogs. Long time favorites were Zorba the Gries, Roxanne, and, high up there, his last dog, Fella.

Daniel was born in 1944 in Flushing, NY to Konrad and Anne Gries. From Konrad, Daniel acquired his love of literature and reading aloud which he passed on to his children and grandchildren. From Anne, he found how to express himself artistically through his ceramics and woodworking.

He was the youngest of four boys. Although they were all very different, they were a close and loving family. The four brothers wrote and performed songs for special occasions starting with his parents' 50th Wedding Anniversary song written to one of his mother's favorite tunes, "What a Friend We Have in Jesus". The family enjoyed idyllic summers at Lake Elmore, Vermont, away from the busy city. Upon his parents' retirement, Daniel built a beautiful home on Lake Elmore for them. The family enjoyed the home as a gathering place for many years.

Daniel came to the North Country as a potter in 1969, built a geodesic dome home in Lancaster, and he then left pottery for carpentry. In the beginning, he worked with two architects in Franconia to learn the basics and then came back to Lancaster to hone his craft. Over the years, he developed his home shop where he designed and executed fine woodwork, cabinets, and one of a kind windows.

Family reunions were recently held in Lake Elmore and Scarborough, Maine. Danny took part giving his all to be with his brothers and family. As always, he enjoyed swimming in the ocean, walking on the beach, and being with the littlest of the Gries Family.

Listening to and playing music were both big parts of Daniel's life. Daniel grew up with classical and jazz music, learned to love a variety of music, and enjoyed sitting and really listening to all types of music. A constant throughout the last 40 years was playing music with friends. Daniel so loved music, that in the end, he chose to open his eyes after two days, listen to friends singing a last song, and he left, with glorious music, on his own terms.