Daniel was born in Port Jervis, NY on September 11, 1968. He worked as a plumber for many years before pursuing a career in criminal justice. In 1998, he attended Sussex County Community College to study criminal justice, and in 2001, he graduated from the Morris County Police Academy in the 57th graduating police class. He also worked as a corrections officer for the Sussex County Sheriff’s Department from 1999-2000. In 2001, He became an officer for the Stillwater Police Department, then joined the Newton Police Department in 2004. Dan retired from the Newton Police Department in 2015 after being injured in the line of duty.
Dan loved cars, especially Volkswagens. He attended car shows regularly, often in his red 1966 Volkswagen Beetle. He enjoyed fishing and had a great love for animals. He loved being a police officer and had a passion for helping others. Dan was a versatile handyman, and could always be counted on by his family and friends to help with any mechanic, plumbing, or construction needs. Dan was quick-witted and extremely generous, and will be sorely missed by his family and friends.
Daniel is survived by his beloved wife of 30 years, Kelly (Hoyle) Smith; his three daughters, Jess and her husband Dakota, Karen, and Sarah Smith; his two grandsons, Ben and Nate Smith; his mother, JoAnn (Duke) Smith, his sister Melissa Conklin, her husband Les, and their two children, Kevin and Chelsea Conklin; his brothers-in-law, Joe, Bruce, and Robert Hoyle; sisters-in-law, Debra Fikslin, Susan Hackett, Nancy Deighan, and Jamie Forrest; his two dogs, Mack and Bonzo; along with many nieces, nephews, uncles, aunts, and cousins. Daniel is predeceased by his father, Daniel L. Smith.
A memorial visitation for Daniel will be held at Smith-McCracken Funeral Home on Saturday, August 5th, 2023 from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m., and 6 p.m. to 8 p.m.
Memorial donations can be made to Karen Ann Quinlan Memorial Foundation, 99 Sparta Avenue, Newton, NJ 07860 or Eleventh Hour Rescue, P.O. Box 218, Rockaway, NJ 07866.
