Daniel P. Faria, 79, of The Villages, FL, formerly of Dartmouth, passed away Wednesday February 27, 2013. He was the husband of Margaret E. (Fournier) Faria and the late Muriel Faria.
Born in Fall River, the son of the late Gabriel and Mary Faria, he was schooled in Tiverton, RI but his home life taught him farm life that he cherished from planting to the reaping of the hay for the animals' feed. But... his livelihood was in the construction field, building houses or restoring them. His years spent "on the farm" remained with him throughout his life.
It was in the 1970's that Danny found he had another talent... Square Dancing. It might have started just as a night out to go dancing but it did not take long for Danny to become interested in "calling the Square Dances." It was through Square Dancing that Danny and I met, and you can say, the rest is history.
June 20, 2013 would have been his 32nd wedding anniversary to Margaret. For many years Margaret and Danny worked all day and danced nearly every night. They also Round Danced. Danny learned how to Yodel... and this became his "trade mark" wherever he went square dancing. He called at New England Conventions, National Conventions, was hired by various square dance clubs, besides calling for his own club the Highland Squares.
He became a recording artist for TNT Records, holding #1 for his recording of Music Box Dancer.
Retiring and traveling to Florida for the winter became a yearly ritual. Danny's health became a serious issue, but with chemo treatment he was able to survive, however, many hospital admissions over the years, could not resolve his medical problems.
Besides having 5 children and a dozen grandchildren, and now great-grandchildren along with memories that will live forever, one has much to be thankful for.
Survivors include his wife; his 3 children, Raymond Faria and his wife Laura of Wareham, Cynthia King and her husband Francis of New Hampshire and Wayne Faria and his wife Laura of Dartmouth; 2 step-children, Gary Lavine and his wife Melinda of Vermont and Diane Jarvis and her husband Francis of Vermont; a brother, Anthony Faria of Colorado; 12 grandchildren, Jason Faria and Jodi Faria, both of Somerset, Shane King, Kayla King and Craig King, all of New Hampshire, Patrick Faria of North Carolina, Rebeca Faria and Shawn Faria, both of Dartmouth, Jeffrey Lavine, Marietta Nelson, Kristen Lavine and Jerami Lavine, all of Vermont; 4 great-grandchildren, Joshua Lavine, Tyler Nelson, Jameson Lavine and Alex Nelson, all of Vermont.
He was the brother of the late Frank Faria, Gabriel Faria, John Faria, Manuel Faria, Mary Theall and Betty Curry.
His Memorial Mass will be celebrated on Saturday June 22, 2013 at 10 AM at St. George Church, Westport. His family will receive visitors at the Church beginning at 9:30 AM. In lieu of flowers, remembrances may be made to the Square Dance Foundation of New England, 238 Woburn St., Reading, MA 01867. Arrangements are by the Saunders-Dwyer Home for Funerals, 495 Park St., New Bedford.