Daniel “Dan” T. Jennings
Daniel “Dan” Thomas Jennings, 60, of Bethlehem, passed away on December 4, 2023 from natural causes. He was born March 24,1963 in Sussex Township, New Jersey to John “Jack” Jennings and Hazel (Fleming) Jennings. He was the youngest of five children.
Dan was a decorated athlete at North Warren Regional High School in Blairstown, NJ, where he excelled in both football and baseball. He had fond memories of his time on and off the field, and loved to regale his children with tales of his athletic prowess. Upon graduation, Dan enlisted in the Air Force and was shipped off to Clark Air Base in the Philippines shortly after marrying his first wife, Lori (Polzin). There, he served his country with distinction and welcomed two sons into the world. A lifelong patriot, Dan would accumulate 20 years of service between the Air Force and the Air National Guard, only finally retiring from duty earlier this year.
After three years in the Philippines, fate would bring Dan back to the East Coast, where he would meet and marry his best friend and the love of his life, Jill (Vayo), with whom he would have two more children and complete his family. With Jill by his side, he embarked on a new journey as an educator, teaching high school history until eventually transitioning into an administrator role. This career choice would become a major part of his professional and personal identity. Despite losing his own father at a very young age, Dan had an innate ability to inspire and mentor others. He was more than just another teacher to so many of his students, many of whom would credit him for giving them direction in life when they needed it most.
Dan's life was one of selflessness. He spent decades working multiple jobs and commuting vast distances to support his family. He eschewed personal comforts, hobbies, and free time for most of his adult life so his children would never have to work as hard as he did. He also never gave up his pursuit of academia, somehow finding time to earn two Master's degrees and most recently a PhD in History. He never wanted any recognition and he was never bitter about the toll it must have taken—he considered it his duty to set his family up for success above all else.
Dan had only recently begun looking ahead to a new phase in his life after the untimely passing of his wife just over one year ago. His family is grateful to have made new, beautiful memories with him over the Thanksgiving holiday in the week before his death.
Dan is preceded in death by his father Jack, his mother Hazel, his sisters Bonnie, Becky (Erd), and Candy (McCormack), and his wife Jill. He is survived by his sister Jill (Royer), his sons John (Angela), Clint (Molly), Nick (Jessica), his daughter Kacey (Nick Fonner), his three grandsons (Malachi, Milo, and Derek), and many nieces, nephews, cousins, and extended family. We will all carry a huge part of him with us for the rest of our lives. Rest easy, Dad.
Services will be held Saturday, December 9, at Cantelmi-Long Funeral Home in Bethlehem. There will be a viewing period from 9:00 - 11:00 AM and the memorial service will commence at 11:00. In lieu of flowers, the family is requesting donations to the Fisher House Foundation in Dan's honor.