Rachel, I just learned of Dan’s passing.  My heart goes out to you and your family. From the photos and memories shared, Dan surrounded himself with many loving family and friends. He will be missed. Debbie Roth-Heger

Dan was the engineer of so many peoples fond memories.

My amazing friend. My protector, the strongest man I ever knew. Always there for the big moments and forever making me laugh to the point of tears.
Love & miss you Dan

Dan & Greg spent many hours together creating fun for everyone. He was a great builder of creative ideas. His forever endeavor to make fun for others was a gift.
~Heather

Dan & Chris at Chris' Lieutenant Ceremony.

Joe and I went to Lieutenant Dan’s Christmas party, probably 12 years ago, and  he showed us his favorite Christmas ornament on the tree.  It was from his mother, who had passed, and it was of a fire truck.  He told us a story of the ornament,  his mother, how she’d set up the Christmas tree when he was growing up, the day before Christmas.  It was then that I decided I would gift the firefighters on Joes shift every Christmas with a special firefighter themed Christmas ornament.  It’s now going on 12 years that we have done so and every year I remember that cool fire truck ornament. 
We love you lieutenant Dan.

I love you man, and I will miss you. God bless. After all, we have the same birthday.

So many great memories of working with Dan. Hard to pick one story out. Dan was a fan of the show Rescue Me. We would watch it on shift. The department had just received a new engine that had a radio and c.d. Player. Dan made a .C.D. With the theme song from the show and would play it LOUD on our way to fire calls. It was really fun to watch his excitement. He is missed.

I’m very sorry to learn about Dan’s passing. He was truly an amazing man. When I was younger we had many fun times together with Lealman Fire family. May he rest in peace! Fly high, King of Trimaris!

A big man with a big heart. Always a pleasure working with Big Dan at a fire scene.  Not only a loss to the fire service, but as a friend and fellow Red Knight. May you rest in peace brother. We got it from here.

The first time I saw Dan was during the Patriot Invitational Wrestling Tournament (1982 or 1983). He was the Largo High heavy weight. I'm almost sure he won the tournament that year. That was the first time I ever saw Dan. Fast forward--1985 Dan was in my fire academy class. We attended the night class and met on Monday nights and all day Saturdays. We met up again when I worked for Pinellas Park Fire Department and Dan was with Lealman Fire Department. Over the years we worked many calls together. Rest In Peace my brother as you were truly an inspiration to me in both wrestling and the fire service. I will always remember you as the State Champion in wrestling. Your friend always Tim Barker--a wrestler & firefighter just like you.

I remember a call were Dan tried to save a dog that had gotten into a lake and someone called 911 because they thought the dog could not get out. E 18 arrived and Dan went into the water and was able to grab the dog. As he was coming out of the water the dog got loose from his hand and the dog turned and bit the tip of his finger off.  When he returned back to work he was driving E18 for me and we pulled up next to a pickup truck and there was a huge black dog just barking at Dan like he knew him. I asked Dan if he knew what he was saying and he said no. I said that he was saying I got your finger, I got your finger and we busted out laughing!😂 
There are many others stories but this is the one I think back to the most and will never forget. RIP brother..

Dan and I worked together for a short while at Belleair Bluffs FD, before he was hired at Lealman FD. We both took a class at the National Fire Academy. Dan had attended a Renaissance festival prior to the academy. The academy has a strict dress code and on time for class rule. The day of the class, Dan was nowhere to be seen. About 90 minutes into class, Dan walked into the classroom, wearing his Renaissance garb. He looks at the instructor, the instructor looks at Dan. After a silent bit of staring, Dan said "they lost my luggage, this is all I had to wear". The instructor told him to take a seat, and thank you for the story I can tell when I get back to FDNY.
That is only one story of many I have of DAN DAN the fireman.
 Godspeed Dan.

I'm so sorry Heather. He was a great man, a wonderful friend and an honorable adversary. He will be missed terribly. -Aaron MacGregor-

Dan was a stalwart friend growing up, who's primary goal on any outing was to have a good time. Didn't matter what we were doing...we were having FUN. From the late nights of D&D and humous antics, to Halloweens of costumes and antics, or going to the movies, he led the way to a good time. Life got in the way and we didn't stay as close as I think either of wanted, but I can say for sure he was a leader in whatever he did and he led with the biggest heart in the world. 
You will be missed, but not forgotten Danny.  Love you!

He gave me the nickname dispatch trog when we were both on A shift. Still use that nick name  today. Now you can explain to Chief Headly how his clock fell off the wall. Miss you Dan . May God bless you.

EROD
Ohhhh Brother you will be missed.  I don’t think you never knew what kind of impact he made for the students and fellow instructors. He was my mentor at the college and he was a big part of the type of instructor that I am today. Rest in peace my huge and strong brother. Miss you!!!!!

His shoes are too big to ever be filled. So many of us are who we are today in big part to Dan. Rest easy brother. We've got it from here

Keeping Dan and his family in my prayers 
We had some classic  matches back in highschool 

Prayers dan

Wrestled against Big Dan in high school.  He was a great guy then and appears to have stayed that way.  He was colorful and “anachronistic” back then, wearing his torc at wrestling tournaments with his warmups.  I don’t remember who won or lost our matches, I just remember him being a fierce competitor on the mats and a great guy off.  

Joe Demos
PPHS Wrestling 82-85

Big Dan a true fireman’s fireman. His candle lit at both ends he lived life to its fullest. I will miss him. Rest in peace my brother.

Dan was a great guy he was always there when we need him he always responded to my house when it was my daughter. He made he laugh gave her a teddy bear for comfort even rode on the ambulance with her to the hospital. He will truly be missed…

As I arrived to work almost every shift,
“F**king Tom Conley. How the hell are you this morning”. 
He always  made us smile or laugh. He will be missed.
God Speed “Big Dan”

Rest in peace Duke Bytor you will be missed your memory will live on in your friends and your family for you will never be forgotten

OBITUARY

Daniel Daratany FitzGerald

December 17, 1966 – December 2, 2023

Serenity Funeral Home

Show your support

Add a Memory

Share Obituary

Get Updates

Services