Daniel John Lizdas Jr.

Daniel John Lizdas, Jr., 73, of East Granby and Sarasota, FL, adored husband of Susan Ann (Szarek) passed away unexpectedly at home on Veterans Day (November 11, 2013), a day on which he was extremely proud to be a veteran. Born in Waterbury and raised in Middlebury, he was the proud son of Daniel John Lizdas, Sr. and Mary (Dovidaitis) Lizdas. A graduate of the University of Connecticut and WPI, Dan proudly served his country as a US Army Captain in Hunstville, AL and in Vietnam. He married the catch of his life in 1966 and raised his family in East Granby, CT. He was very proud of his three children and of the life they made. Dan spent many enjoyable years as an engineer for the space program at Hamilton Standard. For his first retirement he started a successful consulting company and in his second retirement he enjoyed his home in Sarasota, FL. Dan loved spending time visiting his grandchildren in Georgia, Colorado and at home in Connecticut. He was enthusiastic about fishing on his boats, being an active member in his East Granby and Sarasota communities, and proud of his work for veterans, especially the homeless and his Vietnam Brotherhood. He will always be remembered for his dedication as a Boy Scout leader, his love of nature and always offering wise words of advice. Besides his loving wife, he is survived by his three children, Daniel J. Lizdas, III and his wife Allison of Marietta, GA, Doreen and her husband TJ Jacius of East Granby, and Pamela and her husband Troy Howard of Golden, CO. He was a proud Papa to Matteus Daniel Lizdas, Eliza Jean Lizdas, Sarah Ann Jacius, Amanda Claire Jacius and Kalinda Renne Howard. Dan is also survived by the loving families of his wife's sisters, Maryann and Barbara of Chicago, IL. A funeral mass and burial will be in Sarasota, FL. A Mass and celebration of Dan's life will be held in CT at Christmas. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to Give Kids the World, 210 South Bass Road, Kissimmee, FL, 34746.