Daniel Joseph Tomczak

Daniel Joseph Tomczak, 69, of Raleigh, passed away Sunday, January 14, 2018 surrounded by family. Dan, a native of Michigan was a Sergeant in the US Army, 4th Battalion 173rd Airborne Brigade (“Sky Soldiers”) 503d Infantry Regiment and received the Purple Heart after suffering wounds in the Vietnam War. He was also awarded the Bronze Star Medal for meritorious service in a combat zone. Dan later shared his experiences in a book he wrote and published, Damn It, I’m Hit! The near-fatal injuries suffered by Dan, including the loss of his right leg, required lengthy physical therapy at Valley Forge General Hospital in Pennsylvania. Shortly after returning to Michigan, Dan married the girl next door, Denise. Dan, who had wanted to be a carpenter like his father, turned to college and the up and coming I.T. field. Instead of building houses, he would create software programs. He graduated from Oakland Community College with an Associates Degree in 1974, and then attended Oakland University, earning his Bachelor of Science degree in 1976. Moving his family to a St. Louis, MO suburb, Dan began working for FDS in 1976 before being transferred to Raleigh in 1984. Dan joined CP&L’s Information Technology team in 1990, and retired from the company in 2013. Dan’s passions included his family and family history, remembering and honoring fellow veterans every November, tennis, sailing, the Carolina Hurricanes, playing the accordion, bluegrass music, his Catholic Faith, his Polish heritage, and Project Healing Waters Fly Fishing Program. Dan leaves behind Denise, his wife of 45 years, and sons; Timothy (Mary), Kevin (Kim), and Benjamin (Emily); his grandchildren, Kimmie, Michael, Natali, Niko, Cecilia, Justin and Brian; his siblings, Judy Davis, Darrell, Richard and Jim. Dan is preceded in death by his parents, Joseph and Bernice, both of Linwood, MI. Dan, who never met a stranger, will be fondly remembered by many others including brothers and sisters in-law, nieces, nephews, aunts, uncles, cousins and fellow veterans. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Project Healing Waters Fly Fishing Program Durham VAMC, www.projecthealingwaters.org.

Daniel Joseph Tomczak

November 7, 1948 - January 14, 2018