Earl McDaniel , VRHS Class of 1949
Earl W. McDaniel, 96, of Rensselaer, passed away on April 14, 2026, at Hawthorne Ridge. Born in Rensselaer to the late Manassa and Laura (Davis) McDaniel, Earl was a lifelong resident of the city. At the age of 20, he was drafted into the United States Army and served for two years. He volunteered as a paratrooper and remained proud of his many jumps throughout his life. He later volunteered in the kitchen, where he discovered a talent for cooking that stayed with him for decades. Earl met Norma (Bowmaker) while she was still in high school. Family lore has it that she tied his shoelaces together at the movie theater before they were ever a couple. She became the love of his life, and they were married for 72 years and raised four children together. Earl worked as a printing pressman for the Fort Orange Paper Company and later for New York State, where he printed the Regents exams until his retirement in 2002. In the years that followed, he and Norma enjoyed a full and happy life together, traveling, taking cruises, playing golf and cards, spending winters in Florida, and, above all, gathering with family. Earl was also a devoted fisherman and treasured his annual trip to his brother Robert's lake house in Canada. Earl was a lifelong sports enthusiast. He played nearly every sport available to him as a young man and went on to umpire little league, high school and American Legion baseball as a CDUA official for more than 30 years. He was a devoted, lifelong fan of his beloved Mets. He was also a 50-year member of the Van Rensselaer Masonic Lodge. His competitive streak never left him: at 95, he entered the 50-yard dash at Hawthorne Ridge and crossed the finish line with his walker. A man of deep and steady faith, Earl was a devoted Lutheran who gave many years of service to his church on the church council, as an usher, and as sexton. His faith guided him throughout his life. Above all, Earl loved to tell stories, especially about sports, and his family and friends will remember the way he could hold a room. The family extends heartfelt thanks to Grace and Rachel of Community Hospice of Rensselaer County, and to the nurses' aides who became Earl's dear friends: Shelia, Amanda, Nissa, Nevaeh, Jessica and, most especially, Debbe. Your care and kindness meant the world to him and to us. Earl was predeceased by his wife, Norma McDaniel; his brothers, Ulster D. Brown, David McDaniel, and Robert McDaniel; and his sisters, Jean Klien and Lois Stires. He is survived by his daughters, Patricia Vona 1973 (Leonard) and Ellen Mottolese 1976 (Nick); his sons, Wayne McDaniel (Conni) and David McDaniel (Maureen); his grandchildren, Amy Laskowitz (Ian), David Vona (Julia Vona-Shea), Jeffrey Vona (Caitlyn), Kelly Bartosik (James), Emily Mottolese, Matthew McDaniel, Kathryn McDaniel, and Erin McDaniel; and his great-grandchildren Lucas, Marcus, and Maya Laskowitz; Zack, Dex, Crew, and Reese Vona; and Miles, Talia, and Tatum Bartosik. Friends and family are invited to call from 4-7pm on Friday, April 24 in the Wm. J. Rockefeller Funeral Home, 165 Columbia Tpk. Rensselaer. A funeral service will be held in his memory on Saturday, April 25 at 11am in the funeral home. Burial will follow in St. Mathews Lutheran Cemetery, Glenmont. Contributions in Earl's memory may be made to Community Hospice of Rensselaer County, 310 South Manning Boulevard, Albany, NY 12208.