Obituary of David W. Daansen

Dave “Dancin’ Dave” Daansen passed away peacefully on April 26, 2024 after a long illness.

     Dave was born May 24, 1949 in Seabreeze, NY to Dorothea and William Daansen. He spent his childhood on Lake Ontario in the shadow of the amusement park. From an early age, Dave’s passion was music, playing primarily trumpet in school but excelling at any instrument he picked up.

     Dave taught himself to play guitar after he first heard Jimi Hendrix play, and the bass guitar would become the instrument for which he was known. He would also become accomplished on the drums and keyboard. After high school, Dave took his music on the road with bands such as Swift Kick, Harlot and briefly with Dokken and Ozzy Osbourne. That musical career led him to almost every state in the nation, as well as to Europe, Southeast Asia and Japan.

     After years on the road, Dave found himself back in Rochester where he met his future wife, Patty (McQuillen Panepento) and they were married in 1997. Dave continued to tour and play music in the Rochester area with Dave Donnelly, High Noon (the WBEE house band), PapaNut, the Chris Beard band and so many others, all while calling Rochester home. In 2015, an effort to be closer to family led Dave and Patty to move to LeRoy, NY where they could enjoy more family time, especially attending their grandchildren’s games and activities. Dave’s other passions were golf, baseball especially the NY Yankees and simple family times (though he never grew to understand Dungeon and Dragons despite his grandchildren’s attempts).

     Dave is survived by a daughter, Annette (Mike Sr.) Junot and their children, Zak and Amanda Lippa, Mike Jr. and Brennan Junot, all of Rochester, and two sons, John and Jeffrey Daansen and his two children of Japan.

     Dave leaves Patty’s children, who he loved as his own: Peter (Chrissy) Panepento and their girls, Jessica (Jake) Keymel, Morgan (Fiancé Chris Elsbree) Panepento and Mary Lynn Panepento, all of Walworth, NY, Dave (Michelle) Panepento and daughter Anna, and Rob (Jill) Panepento and sons John and Jayce, all of LeRoy, NY.

     Also surviving are great-grandchildren Maddy and Riley Keymel, and Greyson Elsbree.

     Dave leaves a sister, Susan (Steve) Sander of North Carolina, and a foster-sister and brother, Lynn Connelly and Bill Bloom (Judy), both of Seabreeze, NY. Brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law include Mary Lynn (McQuillen) Jacko of Pittsburgh, Pa, Steve (Sheila) McQuillen of Stafford, NY, Pete (Judy) McQuillen of LeRoy, Tim (Sue) McQuillen of Byron, NY and Amy (McQuillen) Sturm of Erie, Pa. as well as numerous nieces and nephews.

     Last but not least is his beloved dog Jack.

     Dave is pre-deceased by his parents and a brother-in-law, Terry (Tuba) McQuillen.

     Patty would like to thank the staff of Premier Genesee who showed Dave such compassion and caring especially Careesa, Kristy and Mercedes and so many others.

     To recognize the hours of enjoyment that Dave received from watching his grandkids perform, memorials can be made to either LeRoy High School Music Dept. 9300 South St. Rd. LeRoy, NY, or to the Girls’ Softball Program at Notre Dame High School, 73 Union St. Batavia NY.

     Family and friends may call on Saturday, May 4 from 2 ~ 5 PM at the Falcone Family Funeral & Cremation Service Inc., 8700 Lake St. Rd., LeRoy, where his Celebration of Life Service will be held at 5:00 PM.