Daniel "Danny" Joseph Wolf

Daniel Joseph Wolf was born in Jersey City, NJ and moved to Laurelwood Drive, Atlanta GA when he was four years old.  He lived in Marietta, GA until he departed to be with the Lord on December 21, 2023, at the age of 75. Before retiring, he was a Senior Vice President as a Corporate Credit Approval Officer and Commercial Resolution Group Officer at First Citizens Bank. His life was enriched as an accomplished guitarist and athlete, playing baseball, basketball, football, golf, and tennis. He had the heart of a pastor and counselor, loved the Lord, and was a much beloved father, husband, and friend to everyone around him.

Danny came from a large Italian family with twelve aunts and uncles on his mother Silleti’s side. While growing up in Atlanta, Danny attended Therrell High school.  At age eleven, his quickness, speed and agility allowed him to start playing basketball and varsity football for Therrell which at the time, didn't have a full high school.  Danny would go on to shatter records at Therrell such as running the 100-yard dash fully dressed in his equipment in just under 10 seconds.  At the age of sixteen, he would become a part of Therrell's starting lineup, playing as a slotback, punt and kickoff returner. 

In addition, he was playing baseball for the county leagues by eleven. Between the ages of twelve and fourteen, he would go on to achieve the record for the most strikeouts in a season for Little League. This record was held for 15 years.  

After graduating from Therrell, he attended Georgia State University. At GSU, he played in the Capper Snappers, a Kappa Sigma fraternity band.  He was a member of the Kappa Sigma Fraternity, graduating from GSU with a BA in Finance.

Danny's love for music was well known, especially his passion for the guitar.   Some of his biggest influences were Wes Montgomery and Chet Atkins.  Danny learned to play many of their songs simply by listening to recordings of them on 45 RPM records.  Later on, he would advance his guitar skills under the tutelage of John Sutherland, who studied with Christopher Parkening and Andre Segovia.  At sixteen, he would go on to play lead guitar for a band called The Bushmen and by seventeen, he would join a band called the Ravens playing “Heat Wave” by Martha Reeves and The Vandellas, “My Girl” and “Ain't Too Proud to Beg” by the Temptations, “Papa's Got A Brand New Bag” by James Brown, and “Wipe Out” by Surfaris, to name but a few. In fact, one night while Danny was performing with the Ravens, he was invited to perform live as a backup guitarist for Major Lance playing their hit song, “The Monkey Time”.  

Some of the other music that he would go on to learn and perform included “Bumpin' on Sunset” by Wes Montgomery, “Windy and Warm” by Chet Atkins, “Song for My Father” by The Horace Silver Quintet, “Classical Gas” by Mason Williams, Prelude From Cello Suite No. 1 and Jesu, Joy Of Man's Desiring From Cantata by J.S. Bach (arrangement by Christopher Parkening).

Danny met Rhonda Maloof the first time when he and the rest of The Bushmen band were taking a break from playing in the gym at Saint Joseph’s high school. Rhonda went up on stage and started trying to play the drums. Danny asked his bandmate, Joseph Maloof who this person playing the drums was and Joseph replied, “Oh, that is my cousin, Rhonda.”

Danny and Rhonda dated for four years before they got married on June 22, 1969, at Saint John Melkite Church.  Stories of their adventures and life together have been told throughout the family for many years from the deck fire while grilling, to Dino, the German shepherd’s frequent fence jumping escapes in which he cleverly made his escape when Danny and Rhonda left for work, wreaked havoc in the neighborhood, and returned all before they came home from work. There are many priceless memories that will never be forgotten.

Five years after marrying, Danny and Rhonda gave birth to their son, Brian.

Sandra Willamson (Rhonda's sister) helped Danny secure his first job at the National Bank of Georgia as a teller.  Danny was later employed as a personal loan officer with C&S Financial and as a commercial loan officer with Citicorp Citibank. He later worked for North Carolina National Bank and Trust Company of Georgia (SunTrust Bank) within the factoring finance division. He stayed with SunTrust Bank for over 17 years, eventually being named First Vice President Credit Group Manager for SunTrust Global Trade Solutions. Finally, he worked for First Citizens as a Senior Vice President in the capacity of Corporate Credit Approval Officer and Commercial Resolution Group Officer.

Danny would come to know Christ as his Lord and Savior while attending Mt. Paran Church of God. Afterwards, while attending a men’s retreat called Cursillo, he received the Holy Spirit and came to understand the meaning of Grace and living a truly Christian life. He would go on to lead many Bible study groups and to become a Deacon of his local church while in NC. There are many people who will always admire the strength of Danny’s faith and his steadfast walk in the Lord’s path.

After retirement, Danny enjoyed immense pleasure in his life, taking care of his family, delighting in friends, and always continuing to play his classical guitar.

He is survived by his loving wife, Rhonda and his devoted son, Brian and wife Tanita Toatong. He leaves behind a multitude of family and friends who cared for him deeply

A visitation for Danny will be held Thursday, December 28, 2023 from 6:00 PM to 8:00 PM at Roswell Funeral Home, 950 Mansell Road, Roswell, GA 30076. A funeral service will occur Friday, December 29, 2023 at 11:00 AM at Roswell Funeral Home.