Daniel C. Klein

Daniel C. Klein, 81, of Cruiser Oaks, Ocala, FL, passed away peacefully at home on
Saturday, June 22nd, 2024.
He was born on August 24th, 1942, in East Meadow, New York. Danny was raised in
Floral Park, New York. Upon leaving Floral Park Memorial High School in 1960, Danny
joined the United States Marine Corps and served honorably until his discharge as an
LCPL in September of 1964. His duties in the USMC gave him the experience required
to work for Grumman Aerospace on the Apollo Lunar Module landing gear for Lunar
Modules 1 to 11, from 1964 to 1969.
In October of 1969, he began his career with the New York City Police Department.
After graduating from the Police Academy, he was assigned to the 9th Precinct (East 5th
Street, Manhattan). Promoted from rookie to detective and subsequently to Sergeant,
he remained with the 9th Precinct – training rookies fresh out of the Police Academy until
the opportunity presented itself for him to join the NYPD Mounted Unit. He traded his
radio car for Cruiser, his only mount, and served in the Mounted Unit until his retirement
in November of 1994.
Moving from Long Island to a mini farm in Ocala, Florida, Danny enjoyed fishing from
his Grady White on the Great South Bay; hunting with the boys from Bartow and
Lakeland up in Georgia, golfing with his two sons and grandsons; his horses, the birds
and turkeys which came to feed by the porch, and the many hours with the music of
Willie Nelson's Roadhouse in his pickup truck and on his tractor.
Danny was blessed to have known and shared many years with a loving family. His
wife, Mary Ellen, of 57 years; his two sons, John Daniel and William Daniel Klein, and his
daughter-in-law, Lee; his two grandsons, Shawn Daniel Klein and Joseph William Klein –
for whom he is forever and always, Duke. Under the love and care of his wife are his
"boys" – their two German Short-Hair Pointers, Flyn (14Yrs) and Bandit (9Yrs), and his
Paint Quarter Horse, Rio. He will be remembered fondly for his love of animals and his
great sense of humor by family and friends.
The family thanks the doctors and nurses at HCA West Marion Hospital, and the
administrative staff, doctors, and nurses of Hospice of Marion County, Team West.
In his memory, the family requests donations to ROAR Florida, at roarflorida.org, a
residential community for adults with unique capabilities.
Rest easy, in the heart of God.