Daniel Tracy Jr.
Bozrah — Daniel W. Tracy Jr., 82, of Bozrah, passed away Saturday, May 4, 2024, after a lengthy illness. Daniel was born in Norwich to Daniel Sr. and Mary (Morris) Tracy.
Daniel was a 1959 graduate of Norwich Free Academy and went on to earn his bachelor’s degree in engineering from the University of Hartford. On Nov. 28, 1964, Daniel married his wife of nearly 60 years, Gail (Pierce) Tracy. Together, they raised four children. During his time in the U.S. Army, Daniel was stationed at Fort Hood, Texas, where he served as a member of the 720th Military Police Battalion and as a gunsmith and armorer.
An avid hunter and outdoorsman, Daniel was often found roaming the local hunting grounds with one of his many beloved German shorthaired pointers; over the course of more than 60 pheasant seasons, Rusty, Majors I-IV, and lastly, Duke, served as his companion. When he wasn’t hunting, Dan could be found cutting firewood, fishing, or enjoying rides up the Yantic River in his single-engine wooden pram. A lifelong animal lover, Daniel enjoyed visits with his “grand” dogs, rabbits and goats.
An engineer for Pratt and Whitney in East Hartford for 36 years, his work on airplane engine designs gave him the opportunity to travel the world and sparked a love of adventure that extended into his retirement. Dan’s favorite trips were to South Africa, but he also visited world and national destinations such as The Great Wall, Machu Picchu, Easter Island, Yellowstone, and the Grand Canyon. Additionally, he enjoyed summer trips to Cape Cod with his family and visits to New Mexico, for rides on the Cumbres and Toltec Scenic Railroad with his wife. In his later years, he loved watching his grandchildren’s sporting events and trips to the Bozrah Farmers Market.
Daniel is survived by his wife, Gail; his children: Daniel Tracy III, Timothy (Laura) Tracy, Randall (Jill) Tracy and Killeen (Michael) Dziavit; and his six grandchildren: Logan, Benjamin, Abigail, and Norah Tracy, and Clark and Alice Dziavit. The family would like to thank Norwich Hospice as well as Dan’s caregiver Lesley, who supported him and his loved ones during his final days.
Services will be held Wednesday, May 8, at Church and Allen Funeral Service, 136 Sachem St., Norwich. A calling hour/visitation will be held from 1 to 2 p.m. followed by services at 2 p.m. A burial with military honors will be held at 3 p.m. at the Bozrah Rural Cemetery on Schwartz Road, Bozrah. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Bozrah Open Space Fund, 1 Bozrah St., Bozrah, CT 06334, or the Mesothelioma Applied Research Foundation (curemeso.org).