Daniel A. Vece, Jr. entered into eternal rest on April 16th 2011- with his family by his side on
the property he was born on. He was 86.
Dan was predeceased by the love of his life and devoted wife of 47 years, Isabel; grandson
Daniel Benjamin; and parents Clotilda and Dan Sr, longtime residents of Clinton. Dan leaves
behind a brother, Gerald "Bud" Vece and wife Carol; three children: Tom Vece and wife Theresa,
Marsha Vece, and Nancy Shuss and husband Chuck; two grandchildren Ashlee Fox, Garrett Fox
and wife Abbie; and great-grandson, Ryker Fox. Dan also leaves behind several nieces and
nephews as well as his longtime companion Dibirma Burnham.
In 1943, Dan proudly joined the Marine Corps as a senior in high school. Two years later, he was
sent to fight at Iwo Jima --an event he spent the rest of his life honoring, most noticeably
originating Clinton's Memorial Day Parade and acting as its parade marshal for 40 years. After the
war, Dan returned home to work for his father at Shoreline Plumbing. When his brother Bud
returned from Korea the two opened a local business--Shore Television and Appliance, still in
operation today. Dan served eight years on the Clinton Board of Selectman and three terms as
First Selectman from 1972 to 1978, where he lead the construction of Library Lane and
revitalization efforts of the downtown. He worked at the State Economic Development Agency for
three governors, first for Ella Grasso in 1980, retiring as Sr. Developer in 1992. Dan was a lifetime
member of the Clinton Volunteer Fire Department, serving as Assistant Chief for 20 years and
Chief for 10 years. Today, the department's Firefighter of the Year Award bears his name. This
summer Dan was looking forward to participating in its 100th anniversary celebration as its
honorary chairman. Dan also volunteered his time for the Clinton Police Commission, Council of
Small Towns, Park and Recreation Commission, Clinton Historical Society, VFW Post #9918, and
American Legion Post #66, serving as Commander. He co-chaired Clinton's bicentennial
celebration in 1976 and its tercentenary celebration in 1963. As head of the Valley Shore Mutual
Aid Association he implemented the Valley Shore 9-1-1 Emergency System in place today. Dan
was also a parishioner of the St. Mary's Church of Clinton and President of the Iwo Jima
Memorial Association.
Dan loved serving his town and did so unselfishly and often anonymously. He was humbled to
receive of the Distinguished Citizen Award, Chamber of Commerce Man of the Year and Clinton
Spirit awards, and public service awards from the Rotary Club, Lions Club, Republican Town
Committee, Democratic Town Committee, Junior Women's' Club, The Morgan School, American
Legion and the Connecticut State General Assembly.
In 2009, Dan was one of eleven individuals to be inducted to Connecticut Veteran's Hall of Fame,
a recognition that held a special place in his heart. "I am honored to be in such distinguished
company," he said.
Family and friends may visit the Swan Funeral Home, 80E Main St. Clinton, Monday April 25, from
2 p.m. to 8 p.m. A mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated Tuesday April 26, at 11 a.m. at St.
Mary of the Visitation, Grove St. Clinton. Interment will follow at Beaverbrook Cemetery with full
Military Honors.
In lieu of flowers donations can be made to Clinton Vol. Fire Dept. or Iwo Jima Survivors
Association. Services will be held at Swan Funeral Home in Clinton. Please visit
www.swanfhclinton.com for tributes and condolences.
the property he was born on. He was 86.
Dan was predeceased by the love of his life and devoted wife of 47 years, Isabel; grandson
Daniel Benjamin; and parents Clotilda and Dan Sr, longtime residents of Clinton. Dan leaves
behind a brother, Gerald "Bud" Vece and wife Carol; three children: Tom Vece and wife Theresa,
Marsha Vece, and Nancy Shuss and husband Chuck; two grandchildren Ashlee Fox, Garrett Fox
and wife Abbie; and great-grandson, Ryker Fox. Dan also leaves behind several nieces and
nephews as well as his longtime companion Dibirma Burnham.
In 1943, Dan proudly joined the Marine Corps as a senior in high school. Two years later, he was
sent to fight at Iwo Jima --an event he spent the rest of his life honoring, most noticeably
originating Clinton's Memorial Day Parade and acting as its parade marshal for 40 years. After the
war, Dan returned home to work for his father at Shoreline Plumbing. When his brother Bud
returned from Korea the two opened a local business--Shore Television and Appliance, still in
operation today. Dan served eight years on the Clinton Board of Selectman and three terms as
First Selectman from 1972 to 1978, where he lead the construction of Library Lane and
revitalization efforts of the downtown. He worked at the State Economic Development Agency for
three governors, first for Ella Grasso in 1980, retiring as Sr. Developer in 1992. Dan was a lifetime
member of the Clinton Volunteer Fire Department, serving as Assistant Chief for 20 years and
Chief for 10 years. Today, the department's Firefighter of the Year Award bears his name. This
summer Dan was looking forward to participating in its 100th anniversary celebration as its
honorary chairman. Dan also volunteered his time for the Clinton Police Commission, Council of
Small Towns, Park and Recreation Commission, Clinton Historical Society, VFW Post #9918, and
American Legion Post #66, serving as Commander. He co-chaired Clinton's bicentennial
celebration in 1976 and its tercentenary celebration in 1963. As head of the Valley Shore Mutual
Aid Association he implemented the Valley Shore 9-1-1 Emergency System in place today. Dan
was also a parishioner of the St. Mary's Church of Clinton and President of the Iwo Jima
Memorial Association.
Dan loved serving his town and did so unselfishly and often anonymously. He was humbled to
receive of the Distinguished Citizen Award, Chamber of Commerce Man of the Year and Clinton
Spirit awards, and public service awards from the Rotary Club, Lions Club, Republican Town
Committee, Democratic Town Committee, Junior Women's' Club, The Morgan School, American
Legion and the Connecticut State General Assembly.
In 2009, Dan was one of eleven individuals to be inducted to Connecticut Veteran's Hall of Fame,
a recognition that held a special place in his heart. "I am honored to be in such distinguished
company," he said.
Family and friends may visit the Swan Funeral Home, 80E Main St. Clinton, Monday April 25, from
2 p.m. to 8 p.m. A mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated Tuesday April 26, at 11 a.m. at St.
Mary of the Visitation, Grove St. Clinton. Interment will follow at Beaverbrook Cemetery with full
Military Honors.
In lieu of flowers donations can be made to Clinton Vol. Fire Dept. or Iwo Jima Survivors
Association. Services will be held at Swan Funeral Home in Clinton. Please visit
www.swanfhclinton.com for tributes and condolences.
| Copyright © 2011, Support Our Survivors of Iwo Jima and Iwo Jima Survivors Association, Inc. All rights reserved. |
| Vincent Thomas Treasurer, Iwo Jima Survivors Association 35 Hemlock Road Branford, CT 06405 (203) 488-7683 |
| Clinton Volunteer Fire Deptartment 35 East Main Street Clinton, CT 06413-2049 (860) 669-8131 |
| More articles about Daniel Vece |
Service Arrangements For Clintonian Daniel “Dan” Vece, Jr., Age 85
Clinton Patch April 18, 2011
Lieberman mourns passing of Daniel Vece - ex first selectman of Clinton
New Haven Register, April 18, 2011
Veterans Honored In Hartford WFSB Eyewitness News, November 17, 2009
Clinton Patch April 18, 2011
Lieberman mourns passing of Daniel Vece - ex first selectman of Clinton
New Haven Register, April 18, 2011
Veterans Honored In Hartford WFSB Eyewitness News, November 17, 2009
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