It is with great sadness that I announce the passing of my Uncle Danny. He was killed Friday night in a motorcycle accident in Arizona. My Uncle Danny was a Captain for the Los Angeles Fire Department and worked as a paramedic for almost 38 years. He was 65 years old and loved riding his bike. He was a member of the LAFD Firehogs Motorcycle Club, a club made up of LAFD firemen & paramedics (view their website at http://www.firehogs.org/ ). He thoroughly enjoyed living and was quoted by my father (Danny's brother) as being "The World's Oldest Teenager". I didn't get to see him very often, but I did get to talk to him more frequently via email (he always had good jokes to send my way). Nothing has been set as far as services, but they will probably be in L.A. I plan on attending to pay my respects, so I'll keep you all informed. I can honestly say that he left this world doing what he loved probably the most. KEEP ON RIDING UNCLE DANNY!!!............................Dan
11 comments:
Danny, I am so sorry for your loss. I have know him for over 31 years as he was a good friend of my father Tom Brown who died a year ago yesterday. I loved that he came up to Nevada for my father's funeral and when I went to visit my dad he would occassionaly drop by and I thought it was so cute how they always talked about the old days in the LAFD. I loved his free spirit and like many have said he died doing what he loved. My thoughts and prayers go out to you and your family and his LAFD family as well.
Cindy Smith (Brown)
Dear HippyDan Family:
My name is Debi Durkee, and I have known your Uncle Dan since he first came to California, and became an Ambulance Driver for Miller Ambulance, in Glendale, Ca. He moved up in the organization quickly, especially for someone of his age at the time, still in his early 20's I believe. It was just after his promotion to Supervisor at Miller's that Dan hired my brother,John(Jack)Smith, as a Driver's Attendant,for Miller's. Ever since that day, Dan has been a MUCH LOVED member of OUR FAMILY.
He spent many Christmas' with us, when he couldn't get HOME to ARKANSAS. My brother even accompanied Dan home, in the late 60's I believe, in Dan's VW! They
still talked about that trip, and what a great time they had. They were HOUSEMATES for many years, and
remained fast friends forever. I had the great pleasure of traveling with Dan on many of his trips to his place at the Colorado River. He was dearly loved by my entire Family, but I personally, WILL SUFFER GREATLY. He was my BEST FRIEND, MY CONFIDANT, MY INSPIRATION, AND MY ROCK! I hope I have the opportunity to meet you, and I send your entire FAMILY my LOVE & PRAYERS. Please let me know, if there is ANYTHING I CAN DO to assist you in this time of loss! GOD BLESS!
Debi Durkee
John (Jack) Smith's younger
sister.
I've known "Danny" for the 27 years I have been a Paramedic in L.A. I think you captured it correctly in the picture and his name. "Danny" fit him so perfectly. He truly was a kid at heart and I had never, ever, seen him without a smile on his face. What a loss for those around him. He was, and alwahys will be, a very special person.
My name is Tammy and I am the niece of Jack Smith and Debi Durkee. Uncle Danny has been in my life from my earliest childhood memories. He truely was my uncle in ever sense of the word. I love him and will miss him. I have many memories to share with your family should we have the ability to meet. I thank the lord that the last memory I have of him was as the minister of my wedding last September. I will hold that memory dear and will miss him very much.
God bless you family. He was loved by so many.
Tammy Bello (Pancino)
To the Cypert Family,
I was devastated to hear of Danny's accident. Danny was my late husband (Tom Brown's) partner and dear friend. Tom used to tell me that he and Danny "grew up" together in the Dept. They both worked for Miller Ambulance and then went on to the LAFD. When I lost Tom last year, Danny was a God-send of support and understanding. He, along with other wonderful friends, got me thru a very difficult time, and have remained supportive. Danny never failed to give me a hug and kiss when I saw him (not often enough)and the last time I saw him I happened to, literally, bump into him as he was leaving the gas station on his way to a union meeting - running late as usual. But he still took the time to give me that hug and kiss. He was the best friend anyone could have; he was the most generous and genuine man you could possible have the good fortune to know, and I will miss looking across the field for his PT Cruiser to see if he is home in Edwards, on the road, or on duty.
I am truly sorry for OUR loss and my heartfelt prayers go out to his family, LAFD Family, and friends. We have all lost an important influence in our lives.
Judi Brown
I am very saddened by the loss of Captain Dan. I met him a few years ago at Parker dam. We shared many a tequila shot and shared many biker stories. We stayed in contact via e-mail and I'm very proud to say that Dan was my friend. I will alway remember him and what a wonderful person he was. God bless Captain Dan.
My condolences go out to his family.
Jose Castellon
Dan -
I was so excited to find your blog! My name is Brenda O'Neal Nixon---and your dad & your Uncle Dan are my cousins. (Your grandmother & grandfather -- Ray & Thelma -- were my uncle & aunt. My mother, Lou, was Ray's sister.) My mom heard about Danny's accident over the weekend. It saddened me greatly. I spent many summers with Danny & Ronnie in Arkansas, and they often came to visit us in Tulsa. The last time I saw Dan was when he was on a cross-country motorcycle trip with friends, I think in 2004. He called me out of the blue and they dropped by for breakfast. (I live in Pennsylvania now) I was so thrilled, as I had not seen him in years. It was great fun and I could tell that he was still a fun-loving fella. I will watch the blog to see if any details are posted about any planned funeral, or service of any kind. I would like to honor him. Thanks so much for doing this. I wish that I could meet you, as well. (My email is brendanixon@comcast.net.) Brenda
For information re. the Memorial Services for Captain Cypert you may call the LAFD Public Information Officer at (213) 485-5162.
Services will be on May 10, 2007 in Los Angeles California.
Danny Gene,
I am your Aunt once removed my name is Pat. I was married to your uncle Roy Lee Cypert. I am so glad that I got to see Danny last summer while he was back visiting in Arkansas. I asked him to have supper with me, he said sure, I asked him what he would like to have and he told me. Beans Pototoes and Cornbread, so that's what we had. That was the first time I had seen him since 1963. He was with Millers then. If you live your life like Danny did you will have nothing to worry about and no regrets.
Your Aunt Pat (Tulsa, Oklahoma)
Poem by - Mary ElizabethFrye (1904-2004)
Do not Stand at my Grave and Weep
Do not stand at my grave and weep,
I am not there, I do not sleep.
I am in a thousand winds that blow,
I am the softly falling snow.
I am the gentle showers of rain,
I am the fields of ripening grain.
I am in the morning hush,
I am in the graceful rush
Of beautiful birds in circling flight,
I am the starshine of the night.
I am in the flowers that bloom,
I am in a quiet room.
I am in the birds that sing,
I am in each lovely thing.
Do not stand at my grave and cry,
I am not there. I do not die.
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