Daniel J. "Danny" Drechsler

We will never forget Daniel Joseph Drechsler, fondly known as 'Danny', 'Daniel J', 'Umpa', and 'Pops' whose spirit departed peacefully from us on July 10, 2024 at the age of 77.
Surrounded by his loving family and many friends in his final days, he was a man of grace, humor, joy, patience, and kindness. He was a bright light that will continue to shine in the hearts of everyone he met. His family was the most important thing to him and his loving spirit will be carried on by his best friend and wife of 55 years, Carol Drechsler, his 'favorite' five children, Lisa (Pete), Steve (Danielle), Jim (Kerrie), Mike (Val), Scott (Missy), his amazing 14 grandchildren, his two devoted sisters, Judy Watt (John), Mary Jo Muscolino (Artie) and many more family members and friends too numerous to name who make up his beautiful extended family. He was predeceased by his parents and his older sister Eileen Drechsler Ramos.
Danny was born to Eleanor and Joe Drechsler on February 26, 1947 in Greece, New York. He was a fun-loving little ball of energy with a quick wit, big heart and a contagious smile. He and Carol, the love of his life, met in high school and married on a snowy December day in 1968 just before his last semester in college. He spent some time in the Army Reserves playing the drums and recently told us that he felt incredibly lucky to be able to do something he loved in a time of turmoil.
Danny was a hard worker and a people person through and through. He'd do anything for his people and always led by example. His career at Xerox began in Rochester where he made many lifelong friendships. In 1980 their big happy family of 7 took the giant leap and relocated to Dallas, TX where they spent the next 10 years. Xerox then moved them back to Penfield where he continued to put his heart and soul into his work. As if raising 5 kids and working long hours wasn't enough to keep them busy, Carol had a home daycare throughout all of these years that just added to the crazy fun! There was no end to their giving. He retired a bit early, by traditional standards, after recovering from a heart attack which was just another reminder that life is short and unexpected.
Spending time with his family was his most favorite thing to do camping with friends and family, long family road trips -often in a vehicle that was way too small, attending and hosting countless family gatherings, enjoying sunny pool days in the fancy backyard in Texas, spending quality time together on forced family Sunday Fundays and being the biggest and bestest fan at all of the family sporting events. You could always find him smiling on the many adventures that came along with having such a wonderfully large and fun-loving family. There was truly never a dull moment. They moved in to their dream home at Port Bay in 2000 and spent 17 years making endless memories and fully living their best lives! Soon after he started his battle with cancer, they moved back to Webster to be closer to medical care. He said many times that this was the perfect place at the perfect time.
He has been called the energizer bunny and the cheshire cat with nine lives as he has beat the odds more than once with his will to live – and not just live, but live the best and most positive life possible. His optimism and genuine appreciation of goodness in every day and every person could not have been stronger. He was a wonderful listener and made each moment count. He always knew how to make those around him feel special and feel loved.
He was also a man of faith who has no doubt added a tremendous amount of joy to the everlasting party in Heaven. Let the endless singing, drumming, and dancing begin! We asked if he could please put a good word in for us and maybe leave the back door open a crack, we'd sure appreciate it!
Until we meet again, we promise to seek happiness, be kind and always carry your loving memory in our hearts.
"A happy family is but an earlier heaven." – George Bernard Shaw
"Many people will walk in and out of your life. But only true friends will leave footprints in your heart." -- Eleanor Roosevelt
Donations can be made to the University of Rochester's Wilmot Cancer Institute and/or the Webster Comfort Care Home, a place we will forever fondly think of as Heaven on Earth. We are so grateful to both of these incredible organizations and to their dedicated and kind staff who helped Danny, and all of us, make his journey a whole lot brighter by not only sharing their life-saving wisdom but sharing their hearts too.
His Funeral Mass will be on Monday, July 22nd at 10:00am at St. Jerome's Church in East Rochester. A celebration of life will follow at 4:00pm in the Curry Lodge at the Webster Arboretum. Everyone is invited to share all the love and celebrate this amazing man!