Ireland, Daniel Herbert "Dan" - It is with heartfelt sorrow and glasses raised high that the Ireland family announces the passing of Daniel Herbert Ireland, patriarch and music man, who left the stage in the spotlight of the silver super moon, this past Monday November 14th 2016, in his 89th year. Dan was born January 26th in Cordova Mines, Ontario. It was here he chose to live and raise his family. Son of Gertrude Ellis and Herbert Ireland; stepson of Charles Steenburgh. Brother of the late Keitha [Tony Owen], Inda [Bart McFadden], half-brother to Robert [Delores Chard]Steenburgh and the late Harry [Roseanne] Steenburgh. Loving husband of the late Christeana “Teeny” [nee Blair] Ireland. Father to the late Charles [Cathy], Christina [Dwayne], Raymond [Carolyn], Bud [Colleen], and the late Danny [Brenda]. Grandfather to ten and great-grandfather to fifteen. Best friend to Carl “Buck” Bertrand and the late Vereana. Dan and Teeny’s home in Cordova was filled with music and musicians. Dan wrote and sang songs about what he knew best: his roots, places he had been, things he’d seen and those he’d known and loved. Leaving home at thirteen years of age for factory work in Toronto and too young to join up when war broke out, he chose to serve as a merchant marine, sailing the Great Lakes. After war’s end, he became a radio personality, broadcast on CJBQ Belleville, hosting “The Danny Ireland Show”. He often joked he had “a face for radio.” It was during this period that Dan met the love of his life Christeana “Teeny” Blair, whom he would marry and share his life with for sixty-three years. After stints as both a miner and logger, he became a hoisting engineer, operating mobile cranes for most of his working career. His handiwork still stands today; most notably, the iconic Faryon Bridge spanning the Otonabee River at Trent University in Peterborough. An avid hunter, Dan loved working in the woods: cutting wood, burning wood, milling and building with wood ― he knew every species of tree. One would always know to look for him in his shop, smelling of fresh sawdust and wood smoke, tinkering away at his latest woodworking creation. He could build darn near anything, solid and true.
His lifelong dedication as a volunteer and community man earned him a star on the Peterborough Pathway of Fame. The Ireland family wishes to extend their deepest appreciation to the caregivers at Caressant Care in Marmora during Dan’s later years. We will never forget that mischievous twinkle in his blue eyes, his hilarious sayings and rollicking sense of humour. He loved to give the girls a whirl, and make all the fellas laugh. When he told a story, there was never a dry eye in the crowd ― for joy, sorrow or laughter. There never was, or ever will be, anyone like Pa. The Circle Be Unbroken! All are welcome to join us in a celebration of Dan’s life at the Marmora District Community Centre [arena] on Victoria Street January 28th, 2017 from 1:00 pm to 5:00pm