Daniel Joseph Cichetti

Daniel Joseph Cichetti, aged 86, passed away On May 26, 2025, with family by his side and his loyal dog Lola on his lap. He was born on May 10, 1939, in Baltimore, Maryland to Guido and Margaret Cichetti. He was predeceased by his wife of 60 years, Barbara Cichetti, and is survived by his children Angela Deppe, Stephanie Cichetti Marsh, Gregory (Sandra) Cichetti and Neil (Joanne) Cichetti, as well as his 11 grandchildren, Corynn (Josef Liska) Marsh, Victor Deppe, Elijah Deppe, Sophia Cichetti, Simone Cichetti, Genevieve Cichetti, Gianna Cichetti, Andrew Cichetti, Elias Cichetti, Katherine Cichetti, Alexander Cichetti, and one great-grandchild, Charlie Marsh. He was predeceased by his beloved brother John Cichetti. Daniel was raised in a loving home in Dundalk, nearby many extended family, including his first cousins who were his first friends. He later attended and graduated from Dundalk High School, where he participated in the band and grew his lifelong passion and love for music. He remained in touch with his many friends from high school even into his later years, attending reunion lunches and reminiscing on the times they shared. Following high school, he matriculated at the University of Maryland, graduating with a degree in Mechanical Engineering in 1962, all while continuing to sing and perform in bands playing the tenor saxophone. His passion for music and performing led to more than just applause, when he met his wife Barbara while playing in a Baltimore establishment. Theirs was a union that would span over seven decades, building a family of four children, and a home in Marriottsville, Maryland that they would share for more than 50 years. He was a man who dedicated his work, life and energy to his family. While family came first, he was also a committed worker, employed with Westinghouse and later Northrup Grumman as a mechanical engineer for more than 30 years. His colleagues at the Product Qualification Laboratory (PQL) became an extended family themselves, working on projects supporting our national defense, while sharing commutes, lunches, happy hours and volleyball games. The annual PQL picnics were legendary, often hosted at his home where he refined his superb grilling skills to the delight of many. In addition to work, he was active in supporting his community, cooking at spaghetti dinner fundraisers, building fried dough booths, and leading the band boosters for Glenelg High School to support his kids in their own musical adventures. Daniel was also involved with his local parish, the Church of the Resurrection, and especially enjoyed playing bass and singing in the contemporary and folk groups at the 9:30 mass for decades, making cherished friends along the way. But if there is one thing that could mark Daniel's life, it was his support of his children and grandchildren. There was never a project that was too big or too small that couldn't be overcome with ingenuity and engineering, and a dose of hard work. Whether feeding babies, wrangling toddlers, shuttling grandkids, giving tips on jazz theory, or lessons in carpentry, he was there when needed, even if it meant hopping a flight at a moment's notice. A patient listener, with a pragmatist's view, he could be counted on to lend an ear and give advice with grace. He will be greatly missed by his family, friends and colleagues for his warmth, humor, kindness and sincerity. The family will receive visitors with a viewing between 2-4 PM on Sunday, June 1st, at the Haight Funeral Home & Chapel, 6416 Sykesville Road, Sykesville, MD. A mass of Christian burial will be held on Monday, June 2nd, at 11:00 AM at the Church of the Resurrection, located at 3175 Paulskirk Dr, Ellicott City, MD 21042, with interment at Crest Lawn Memorial Gardens immediately following. All will be welcome at a reception afterwards.