Obituary for Daniel Earle Mitchell
Daniel Earle Mitchell, Sr., 86, passed away peacefully in his home in Chesapeake, VA, on September 9, 2022, after a cancer diagnosis several years ago. Born in New York, NY, on November 5, 1935, he is the beloved son of the late Earle and Margaret Mitchell. He proudly grew up in Ozone Park, NY where he graduated from John Adams High School.
Danny took the A train to Times Square with two friends in 1953 and enlisted in the United States Navy completing basic training at US Naval Training Center Bainbridge, MD, in 1954. Dan served as Dental Technician on the USS Monongahela, USS Corregidor, USS Mt. McKinley, and USS Orion, as well at US Naval Station NOLA, NSD Bayonne, and US Submarine Base New London where he was honorably discharged as a DT2. He later re-enlisted in the US Army Reserves serving with the 329th Support Group based at Camp Pendleton, Virginia Beach, VA, where he retired with 27 years of military service as a Sergeant First Class.
Dan relocated to Virginia Beach, VA, in the late 1960s and with experience he gained at US Rubber Plant in Bayonne, NJ, he opened his own electrical company, Sigma Electric. In 1969 he graduated from Tidewater Police Academy and served in the Virginia Beach Police Department as a Patrolman, Field Training Officer, Master Police Officer, and Detective. He made many friends and had fond memories of his time serving the Virginia Beach community through 1981. Dan graduated from St. Leo's College and worked in various roles using his experience as a Master Electrician, HVAC mechanic, and gas fitter until the age of 75 including with Chesapeake Public Schools and as the Chief Engineer for the federal buildings in downtown Norfolk.
Dan was a compassionate man who was always willing to help his friends. He had a soft heart for animals over the years beginning with his childhood dog Spotty. In recent years, he loved relaxing days with the family's two miniature schnauzers, Riley and Jackson. When he wasn’t enjoying time with his dogs he could be found rocking on the deck over looking the water in his backyard. Aside from his big heart, Dan was best known for the way he made others laugh with his timeless jokes and sense of humor. It was the little things that made him happiest, such as watching classics or history movies, listening to music, a good nap, playing solitaire or eating a favorite dessert.
Above all, he enjoyed spending time with his family the most. Left to cherish his memory is his beloved wife of 43 years, Laura Mitchell, whom he always referred to as his "bride," his son, Daniel E. Mitchell, Jr., of Brooklyn, NY, and daughter Jennifer E. Mitchell of Virginia Beach, VA. Dan is also survived by his sister, Lillie Mae O’Donnell of Wanaque, NJ, her husband Frank O'Donnell predeceased him, and is survived by his four nephews and nieces, Frank, Margie, Dan, and Lillie and their spouses and children in New York and New Jersey.
The family will receive friends at Graham Funeral Home located at 1112 Kempsville Road, Chesapeake, VA, on Friday, September 16, 2022, from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. Funeral services to celebrate his life will be held Saturday, September 17, 2022 at 1:00 p.m. at the funeral home. He will be laid to rest on September 26, 2022 at 11:00 a.m. in Albert G. Horton, Jr. Memorial Veteran’s Cemetery, Suffolk, VA, with military honors. Please visit www.grahamfuneralhome.com to view the service information and to leave a condolence to the family. If you would like to make a donation in lieu of flowers Dan supported the following charities: Gary Sinise Foundation (https://www.garysinisefoundation.org/), The Salvation Army (https://salvationarmypotomac.org/hrva/), and The Union Mission Ministries (http://www.unionmissionministries.org/)
Danny took the A train to Times Square with two friends in 1953 and enlisted in the United States Navy completing basic training at US Naval Training Center Bainbridge, MD, in 1954. Dan served as Dental Technician on the USS Monongahela, USS Corregidor, USS Mt. McKinley, and USS Orion, as well at US Naval Station NOLA, NSD Bayonne, and US Submarine Base New London where he was honorably discharged as a DT2. He later re-enlisted in the US Army Reserves serving with the 329th Support Group based at Camp Pendleton, Virginia Beach, VA, where he retired with 27 years of military service as a Sergeant First Class.
Dan relocated to Virginia Beach, VA, in the late 1960s and with experience he gained at US Rubber Plant in Bayonne, NJ, he opened his own electrical company, Sigma Electric. In 1969 he graduated from Tidewater Police Academy and served in the Virginia Beach Police Department as a Patrolman, Field Training Officer, Master Police Officer, and Detective. He made many friends and had fond memories of his time serving the Virginia Beach community through 1981. Dan graduated from St. Leo's College and worked in various roles using his experience as a Master Electrician, HVAC mechanic, and gas fitter until the age of 75 including with Chesapeake Public Schools and as the Chief Engineer for the federal buildings in downtown Norfolk.
Dan was a compassionate man who was always willing to help his friends. He had a soft heart for animals over the years beginning with his childhood dog Spotty. In recent years, he loved relaxing days with the family's two miniature schnauzers, Riley and Jackson. When he wasn’t enjoying time with his dogs he could be found rocking on the deck over looking the water in his backyard. Aside from his big heart, Dan was best known for the way he made others laugh with his timeless jokes and sense of humor. It was the little things that made him happiest, such as watching classics or history movies, listening to music, a good nap, playing solitaire or eating a favorite dessert.
Above all, he enjoyed spending time with his family the most. Left to cherish his memory is his beloved wife of 43 years, Laura Mitchell, whom he always referred to as his "bride," his son, Daniel E. Mitchell, Jr., of Brooklyn, NY, and daughter Jennifer E. Mitchell of Virginia Beach, VA. Dan is also survived by his sister, Lillie Mae O’Donnell of Wanaque, NJ, her husband Frank O'Donnell predeceased him, and is survived by his four nephews and nieces, Frank, Margie, Dan, and Lillie and their spouses and children in New York and New Jersey.
The family will receive friends at Graham Funeral Home located at 1112 Kempsville Road, Chesapeake, VA, on Friday, September 16, 2022, from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. Funeral services to celebrate his life will be held Saturday, September 17, 2022 at 1:00 p.m. at the funeral home. He will be laid to rest on September 26, 2022 at 11:00 a.m. in Albert G. Horton, Jr. Memorial Veteran’s Cemetery, Suffolk, VA, with military honors. Please visit www.grahamfuneralhome.com to view the service information and to leave a condolence to the family. If you would like to make a donation in lieu of flowers Dan supported the following charities: Gary Sinise Foundation (https://www.garysinisefoundation.org/), The Salvation Army (https://salvationarmypotomac.org/hrva/), and The Union Mission Ministries (http://www.unionmissionministries.org/)