Obituary of Daniel Battista

Today our beloved father was reunited with the love of his life, our mother in heaven, Daniel Battista, born June 17, 1915, son of Dominica and Joseph Battista. He grew up in Jamaica, Queens, New York. On July 4, 1937, he married Ethel Koppel. He moved his family up to Poughkeepsie where his parents bought a farm. He became employed at Fitchett Brothers Dairy for 35 years. On his days off, he brought apples from the farm’s orchards to the bakeries in Queens, New York. He was a wonderful husband, father, grandfather, brother, uncle and friend. He lived his life with a loving heart and a caring spirit. He taught us all many life’s lessons by his example. He taught us to respect ourselves and others, to always lend a helping hand and to be a good listener. He loved his grandchildren and was always there to lend a hand. He was a founding member of the Son’s of Italy Joe DiMaggio Lodge. He ran the Colette Cannizzaro golf tournament for 35 years to raise money for Cooley’s Anemia in honor of his granddaughter. The proceeds went to the New York Hospital for research. Six years ago, he made his first trip to Italy in search of relatives and found five first cousins. When he turned 100, he made it onto the “Smucker’s Jar” for NBC News with Willard Scott. He loved to travel, horse racing, movies, the daily newspaper and all family celebrations. He always has a good story to tell!! He is survived by his daughter, Rochelle Cannizzaro, Hopewell Jct.; daughter, Patricia Ban and husband , George, Poughkeepsie; sister, Jeanette Cervone; sister-in-law, Molly Battista; grandchildren--Daniel and Amanda Greco; Joseph Greco; Christopher Boggs; Stacy Boggs; Robert and Sara Battista; Gary Battista; Lisa and Kris Geysen; Danielle and Billy Doelling; Kim and Mike Pisano; greatgrandchildren—Genevieve Greco; Kaleb Greco; Jayden Boggs; expected new arrival, Donato Boggs; Juliano, Anthony, Marcella and Christian Battista; Zachery Battista; Hunter and AnnaBella Geysen; Lance and Jenna Geysen; Olivia and Vincent Doelling; Michael and Myles Pisano; great, great grandson, Luca Geyson and many nieces, nephews and cousins. He was predeceased by his wife, Ethel; sons, Daniel and Gary; parents and his in laws, Jane and Fred Koppel; grandchildren, John Greco, Colette Cannizzaro and Spencer Geysen; Sister and brother in law, Rose and Joe Garitta; brother and sister in law, William and Louise Battista; Brother, Anthony Battista; Brother in law, Harmon Cervone; Sister in law and brother in law, Dorothy and Jim Lord; Sister in law, Lillian Philipson; Daughter in law, Carmen Orifice and Son in law, Michael Cannizzaro. As a family, we have been truly blessed to have had our father for 101 years. We will miss him terribly but we will hold on to the wonderful memories we have of him forever. We will always remember his secret to longevity (loving life and others). We would like to give a special thanks to his wonderful Doctor, Dr. Zubair Khan, In lieu of flowers, he would appreciate that donations be made to the following in his honor:American Cancer Society, American Heart Association, St. Jude Hospital or Cooley’s Anemia Foundation.