DANIEL WAITKUS

Daniel Waitkus, age 65, passed away peacefully on Monday September 8, 2025, surrounded by family at his home in Lakewood Ohio, after a courageous and unwavering battle with pancreatic cancer. Dan was born February 12, 1960 in Brooklyn, New York, the third of eight children of Robert (deceased) & Barbara Waitkus. He is survived by his wife of 43 years, Deborah (nee Devaty) and sons Stephen and Connor, as well as fur babies Declan and Darby, siblings Robert (Patricia), Patrick, Annie Kilbane (James deceased), Virginia Heffner (James), David (Lauren), Barbara Billings, Beth Ehrbar (William) and mother-in-law Audrey Devaty. Dan is also survived by many nieces, nephews, great nieces, great nephews, and countless friends.

Dan was a proud 1978 graduate of Saint Edward High School & later attended Kent State University where he was a member of the Sigma Chi Fraternity. He earned a Bachelors degree in Business from Liberty University.

Dan served 25 years in his beloved Lakewood Fire Department, retiring as a Captain in 2008.

For thirty years, he served in several key roles at the Cuyahoga Community College Fire Academy as a faculty member, Academy Commander, and Director of Fire Training. In these roles he trained, mentored, and inspired scores of firefighters.

Dan worked in many roles and was recognized as a dedicated, kind, and disciplined leader who lived to serve others. Husband, father, brother, son, uncle, coach, mentor, and teacher were just some of these roles. He was a man of deep faith who had a positive impact on countless athletes, firefighters, students, family members, friends and colleagues.

Dan passionately coached football for over twenty years, the majority of these years at his alma mater, St Ed's. He led by example every day, just as he did in his brave, determined and relentless battle to overcome his illness. He simply never, ever, gave up.

Dan found his true calling in his most recent role as a student counselor at St. Adalbert Catholic grade school in Cleveland's Fairfax neighborhood. He loved his students and would be animated with enthusiasm and energy whenever he spoke about working with "his kids".

Dan will be missed, but his impact and influence will live on through his legacy of caring, grace, and service to others.

Funeral mass 11:00 am on Tuesday, September 16 at St. Bernadette Church, 2256 Clague Road, Westlake. Interment private. Friends may call at the McGORRAY-HANNA FUNERAL HOME OF WESTLAKE, 25620 CENTER RIDGE ROAD (WEST OF COLUMBIA RD.) ON MONDAY FROM 4 - 7pm. In lieu of flowers, the family kindly suggests memorial contributions to: Saint Adalbert Catholic School 2345 East 83rd Street Cleveland, Ohio 44104 or Pancreatic Cancer Action Network Donation Processing Center PO Box 5041 Boone, IA 50950-0041 PanCAN (Pancreatic Cancer Action Network).org