Daniel J. Herlihy

Daniel J. Herlihy, 86, of Patchogue, NY, formally of Sayville, NY, died on Friday, January 30, 2026.  Born in Brooklyn, Dan summered in Sayville as a child until his family moved permanently in the 1950s. He graduated from Sayville High School in 1957 and served in the U.S. Air Force.  After returning to Sayville, Dan met his beloved Rose at a St. Lawrence Dance.  They married and started their life together in Sayville.  Dan worked at Grumman before becoming a Traffic Engineer for the Towns of Islip, Smithtown and City of Largo (FL).  He returned to NY and retired from New York State in 2002.  He found himself getting a “little bored” and worked part-time for Eastern Suffolk Boces as a TA.  The students and staff loved having him in the classroom. 

Always young at heart, Dan is remembered as a hard-working man, dedicated and devoted to his family and friends.  Always willing to lend a hand and always smiling.  A man of great integrity, he put everyone first before himself.

Spending time with his family was his priority, attending sporting events, school events and traveling around the United States every summer.  Later he and Rose would travel the world together on trips to Ireland, Norway, Italy and countless Caribbean cruises, in addition to Alaska, Panama and Hawaii.  He could talk about those trips as if they were yesterday.  Affectionally known as Grandpa Dan for the last 37 years, he continued his devotion to family with his grandchildren and all that they were involved in.

An avid baseball fan since a young boy in Brooklyn, he followed players and became a Baseball Card Collector.  A hobby he enjoyed in his retirement and shared with his grandchildren.  He also coached with Sayville Little League in retirement.  He played on a Senior Softball team with the Town of Brookhaven for many years until 2020.  Another hobby he grew to love was Ancestry.  He spent countless hours researching both his and Rose’s families.  He loved to share the information when he got another “hit” about a family connection. 

“A life cannot be adequately summarized in words like these, but the effect of a life can be felt in all who are reading this and/or will be at the wake and funeral.  We carry a part of each other with us and, for sure, that is a greater measure of a life.”

Dan is survived by his wife Rose, his daughters TinaMaria Zachry (Scott), Renée Vitale, and Maureen Casaburi (Mark), eight grandchildren, Jessica DeBrino (Phil), Eric Vitale, Courtney Gill, (Greg), Joseph Vitale, William Casaburi, Nathan Casaburi, Jessica Labruzzo (Vincent), Noelle Zachry, Brandon Zachry (Elaine) and Brenna Sian (Jeysson), as well as six great-grandchildren Sophee, Kaylee, Charli, Theabella, Colton and Adrian, brother Lawrence Herlihy (Carol), in-laws Al and Pat Olsen, Robert and Linda Olsen, John and Pat Olsen, Debbie Mulero and many nieces and nephews.  He was predeceased by his parents Lawrence and Kathyrn Herlihy, sisters Pat Treschl and husband Ed, Eileen Clark, in-laws Jennie and John Olsen and Lena and Aaron Whitlock.

Family will receive visitors Friday, February 6th 4:00 - 8:00 pm at Raynor & D’Andrea Funeral Home 245 Montauk Highway, West Sayville. A chapel service will take place Saturday, February 7th 10:30 a.m. at the funeral home. Interment will follow at St. Lawrence Cemetery, Sayville. Lieu of flowers, donations to Sharing A Meal and the Sayville Food Pantry are appreciated.