Daniel Henry Staelgraeve (Sept. 26,1942 – Jan. 3, 2025)
Daniel Henry Staelgraeve went by many names – Dan, Danny, Uncle Danny, Dad, Papa. He wore many hats: husband, father, grandpa, brother, uncle, coach, and CEO, to name a few. He was also a man who loved a good challenge, one who could find a solution to most any problem through his creative way of thinking outside the box. That quality along with his willingness to always lend a helping hand made him a success in business and a much-valued family member, friend and confidant.
Dan learned the value of hard work at an early age. He grew up in Monroe, working in his parent's greenhouse along with his three brothers. But ultimately, he decided to walk his own path and attend college at Cleary College and Michigan State University, earning his bachelor's degree in business administration. Dan met his future wife Linda Gonyea when both were teenagers. Wedding bells rang in 1967 and the two settled into their first apartment in East Lansing. After college, they returned to Monroe where Dan worked in a variety of positions at Time Container on his way to becoming their General Manager. But he grew restless in the corporate suite and decided to take a leap of faith and start his own company. He created Dandy Packaging (a play on his first name), and even though his company was small, his knack for finding creative packaging solutions won him customers from the automotive and greenhouse industries. He also used his creativity to make innovative learning resources for his wife Linda's kindergarten classroom at St. Mary's School. Dan retired in 2018 when the company was sold to a competitor.
But work was only a small part of who Dan was. He loved working with kids and young people. A talented athlete himself, for years Dan could be found coaching his kids and their teammates. He also was the family photojournalist, always looking for the perfect candid shot at every recital, family and sporting event but especially on family vacations. Dan was active in the St. Mary Community as an usher and served on the schoolboard for many years. An avid and devoted Michigan State sports fan, Dan was a longtime ticket holder to football games at Spartan Stadium as well as to Detroit Tigers baseball games. He was generous in sharing those tickets with others. Dan and Linda's home also became the official gathering place to mark and celebrate milestone events for their extended family.
Dan is survived by his wife, Linda, his daughter Heidi (Mike Herald), his son Michael (Kimberly), granddaughters Anika and Marissa, grandsons Nikolas, Lukas and Alex. He is also survived by brother - James Staelgraeve (Melissa), brothers (in-law and heart) - Dale Gonyea (Tom Farrell), Don Gonyea (Laurie), David Gonyea (Janelle), and Bob Gonyea (Wen Qi), sisters (in-law and heart) – Mary Ann Applin (Greg), Pamela Gonyea, and Hollie Auten (Rodney), and many much-loved nieces and nephews.
Dan is preceded in death by his parents - Victor and Helena Staelgraeve, mother and father-in-law – Vincent and Shirley Gonyea, brothers – Richard and Charles Staelgraeve, sister (in-laws) Debra (Gonyea) Mossoff and Jan Staelgraeve, brother (in-law) Jeff Mossoff and nephew – James Staelgraeve.
According to Dan's wishes he will be cremated, and a Celebration of Life Open House will be held between the hours of 2:00 pm – 5:00 pm Saturday, Jan. 11th with a memorial service at 2:30 pm on the 2nd floor of the River Raisin Banquet Center (Handicap entrance and parking located in the back of building; those who are able, should park across Monroe St. at the public parking lot.) Any memorials should be made to Friends of Companion Animals of Monroe (FoCA).
Bacarella Funeral Home is assisting the family with cremation and funeral arrangements.
Online condolences and special memories may be shared with the family by visiting the obituary page at www.bacarellafuneralhome.com .