Daniel J. Soccorso, 77, musician and magician extraordinaire passed away peacefully on Nov. 21, 2020.
Dan was born Sept. 10, 1943, son of Nancy (Colucci) and Joseph Soccorso; brother to Joseph and Dominick Soccorso.
Dan was a creative thinker, who brought many of his creative visions into being. He built his own castle complete with turrets, rounded windows, and curved interior walls. He was a master musician, studying under the Jazz artist Lennie Tristano. He enjoyed playing with various musicians and groups including the Steeple People, The Tolkens and Roop Verma. He also was hired at well-known venues including The Otesaga, The Gulden Paint anniversary gathering, The Tagore Festival and West Point Military Academy.
He was a music teacher and performer both in Walton and New York City. Dan enthusiastically shared his musical talents with the local community by entertaining at the Oxford Veterans Home, The Arc of Delaware County (receiving the Father Eugene Willis Good Neighbor Award in 1997), local college events, “The Castle on the Delaware” in Walton, among many others. Both he and his son Gavin enjoyed a shared interest in magic and illusions. Together they entertained at children’s parties, nursing homes, college events and local venues.
Dan was well known for his wonderful sense of humor, creative and artistic talent, as well as his strong Christian beliefs. He was also a very adventurous spirit, opting to travel the backroads and ‘out of the way places’ during trips. Being a thrifty man and a self-styled inventor he frequently innovated his own artistic designs for the properties he owned. He was a die-hard fan of the local Walton Warriors football team. He will be missed by many.
Dan is survived by his loving son Gavin Soccorso; sister-in-law, Margaret Soccorso; nephew, Ronald Soccorso and wife Kathy Soccorso; cousins Anthony and Rosemarie Colucci and many other nieces, nephews and friends.
A celebration of his life will be held at a time to be announced, in the spring of 2021, to which family and friends are welcome to come together to remember Dan.
Donations in Dan’s memory may be made to Hamden Presbyterian Church, 35796 NY-10, Hamden, NY 13782; The Arc of Delaware County, 34570 State Highway 10 Walton, NY 13856, or the New York State Veterans Home at Oxford, 4207 NY-220, Oxford, NY 13830.
Arrangements have been entrusted to Courtney Funeral Home, Walton. To leave a message for Dan’s family, visit his online tribute at www.courtneyfh.com.
