Daniel J. D'ADDARIO

D'ADDARIO , Daniel J. Long Island Aerospace Pioneer and Company Founder. Daniel J. D'Addario 89, founder and owner of General Mechatronics Corporation, one of Long Island's largest aerospace manufacturers for 50 years, died peacefully in hospice care at Uniondale on December 17th, 2012, after suffering from Parkinson's disease and the complications of a recent stroke. Mr. D'Addario was one of Long Island's most respected and admired business owners, winning numerous awards and commendations at all levels in the government and private sector. General Mechatronics employed 150 people in Farmingdale, NY, and was one of Boeing, Sikorsky and numerous other mainframe manufacturers' machined parts suppliers. They produced some of the largest detailed machine parts and assemblies on the 737, 747, 757, 767 and 777 aircraft for Boeing Corp. as well as the V-22 Ospry. For Sikorsky they manufactured some of the largest parts on the Blackhawk and Naval Hawk helicopters and the newest S-92. D'Addario's company also produced numerous parts that landed on the moon via the LEM project by Grumman. Dan, the oldest of 6 children, was born in 1923 in Astoria, Queens, the son of the late Donato and Mary D'Addario. In 1940, after graduating from high school with high honors and a year early, he attended Oregon State University where he had the opportunity to coach JV basketball. However, WW II intervened and military duty temporarily interrupted his education. D'Addario served under General MacArthur in a tank battalion and fought in the battle of Leyte Gulf. After his honorable discharge, Dan enrolled in Pratt Institute in Brooklyn and graduated with a degree in Industrial Engineering. He started his first company, a tool and die manufacturing firm, in Harlem before joining Sperry Corp. and finally Avnet Corp. In 1962 with a small loan from his father, three machinists and a "fly-swatter", he founded General Mechatronics. With confidence and perseverance, two of his strongest traits, he endured through the good and bad times during his four decades at the helm of General Mech before selling it in 2003 to Fortune 500 Company, SPX, out of Chicago. This "crowned" Dan D'Addario's many successful business achievements. Residents of Franklin Square for many years, Dan and Ann, his beloved wife of 62 years, have made their home in Garden City for the past 44 years. Dan, always a very warm, generous, and caring father, is also survived by his sons, Robert D'Addario and his wife Rosalyn of Commack, NY, Dr.Peter D'Addario and his wife Susan of Farmington, CT, and his daughter, Susan D'Addario and her fiancee Janet of New York, NY. Dan also leaves his cherished grandchildren, Amy, Matthew, Amanda, Jane, Daniel and Emily who loved their grandfather as a teacher, a role model and a loving "Grandpa". He was predeceased by his two sisters, Gloria Schiro and Helen Ottulich, and also leaves his brothers, William D'Addario and his wife Marina of Astoria, NY, Joseph D'Addario and his wife Sally of Beechhurst, NY and Ron D'Addario of Brooklyn, NY, many special nieces and nephews, close family members and dear friends. In his role of dedicated husband, father and grandfather, Dan D'Addario's true and greatest accomplishments were realized. Friends and relatives may visit at the Fairchild Sons Funeral Home, 1201 Franklin Avenue in Garden City, on Thursday from 2-5pm and 7-9pm. A mass of Christian burial will be held on Friday at 11:15am at St. Joseph's RC Church. The interment will follow at St.Raymond's Cemetery, Bronx, NY. Memorial donations in the name of Daniel J. D'Addario may be sent to the American Parkinson Disease Association, 135 Parkinson Avenue, Staten Island, NY 10305-1425.