Obituary of Daniel Wallace Rae

Daniel Wallace Rae, 85

Daniel W. Rae, 85, of Stanhope formerly of West Orange passed away on February 23, 2021.

There will be a private graveside service at Gate of Heaven Cemetery in East Hanover. In lieu of flowers donations may be made to St. Jude Children’s Research hospital, Memorial Giving, 501 St Jude Pl., Memphis, TN 38105 (stjude.org/memorial)

Danny was born and raised in Newark and later lived in Roselle Park. He loved playing basketball and baseball. After graduating Irvington Vocational Technical High School, he was employed as a Test Set Maker Tradesmen, working for Western Electric in Kearny. He was always proud of working with the engineers as he was tasked to build the first telephone electrical testing unit from the schematic diagrams. Danny had a way of always getting the task/electrical unit built on-time and working correctly. He had a way of overcoming, and solving all problems as they arose.  After retiring from Western Electric he worked for Local #68.

Danny proudly served in the United States Army from 1958 to 1962. While stationed overseas in South Korea he was attached to the 82nd Airborne to provide all electrical and wiring needs. He was proud to serve alongside and supervise South Korean civilians assigned to him. He loved teaching and working alongside his "guys” as he affectionately called them during the very cold winters and very hot summers. He always told stories of getting in trouble with “Army brass” because he was always working “side deals”, not to benefit himself, but for the benefit of his South Korean counterparts. Danny made sure his “guys” got brand new boots, uniforms, winter coats and great food (steak and eggs). Danny always put others first and always looked out for people that needed help. His “guys” hugged and shed a tear when Danny’s tour was done.

After being honorably discharged from the Army, Danny married his lovely wife Annie. They moved to West Orange and started a family raising four children. He also worked nights at the West Orange Community House Boys and Girls club for 25 years. Also, as a member of Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Youth Organization (C.Y.O) and church choir, he loved singing and performing in the church plays “Good News” and “Damn Yankees”. Danny loved coaching, mentoring and working with the young men and women at both the Community House and the church. He just loved telling his very long but funny stories, with his great sense of humor always had a joke to tell, and loved watching people smile and laugh.

After retiring Danny and Annie moved to Stanhope, to live with their daughter Sharon and son-in-law. He lovingly took care of Annie until her passing in 2018. Always being active and loving the outdoors, he enjoyed driving his tractor cutting grass, yard work and carpentry projects. Danny loved being a grandfather spoiling his three grandchildren Brianne, Eugene and Jordan, attending all their sporting and school events. He taught all his grandchildren how to drive his tractor, and how to safely use power tools. His favorite sayings are “where there is a will, there is a way” and “to always use your ingenuity”.

Danny just believed in being kind and helpful towards others (family, friends or strangers). He never waited to be asked for help, he would just jump in and start helping, always leading by example.

Danny will be missed by all that knew and loved him!

Danny was the beloved husband of the late Annie Rae (Maguire), loving son of the late Martin and Levenia Rae. Devoted father of Sharon Giuliano, Daniel J. Rae, Donna Cyrus and her husband Eugene III, and Thomas Rae. Loving brother of the late Martin Rae. Cherished grandfather of Brianne Giuliano, Eugene Cyrus IV, and Jordan Cyrus.