December 25, 1954 – February 8, 2025
It is with extreme sadness that we announce the passing of our loving husband, father, grandfather, & great grandfather, Daniel Allan Thomas Priestley, age 70 years, in Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Centre on Saturday, February 8, 2025.
Dan was born on December 25, 1954 in Fort William to Norman and Evelyn (nee Dewar) Priestley. He was educated locally and worked for many years as a City Transit Bus Driver and then a Truck Driver until an injury in 1999 forced him to retire. Dan met the love of his life, Bev Trewin, in April 1993 and they were married on July 8, 1995.
Besides his wife, Dan adored his children, especially his grandchildren and great-grandchildren. He loved to tease, play and wrestle with them but would often be found snuggled up with them too. They fondly called him “Danpa”, (because he was way too cool to be called grandpa);“Grumpa”, “G-pa”, then to his latest, “Stumpa” or “Stumps” for short. As much of the razzing he could dish out, he could also take it too (sometimes).
Dan’s first love was his Harley and anything Harley. He also loved Cher! He often said that he would leave Bev for Cher, but we knew Bev was safe!
Dan loved riding his Harley motorcycles and the biker community. He enjoyed long rides with family and friends. He would never leave someone stranded with mechanical issues and would always do his best to help fix the problem to get them back on the road again.
Dan's other passion was fishing. If he could, he would have fished from sun up to sun down and longer if possible. He loved his time at Burchell Lake and then at Whitefish Lake. He loved to pass his fishing knowledge down to the younger generations. He would tell any kid that got into his boat, in a stern voice, but jokingly, "if you hook yourself, we aren’t going back in”. He had quite the unique sense of humour. Sometimes you couldn’t tell if he was serious or kidding.
He was the softest hardass we ever knew!
Dan will be deeply missed by his wife, Bev, of almost 30 years; Children: Daniel Allan Thomas Priestley II (DJ) (Kristen) and Stacey (Ismo); Siblings: Norma Lynn, and Marsha (Dennis); Grandchildren: Jared (Michelle), Jenna (Dan), Brayden, Cole, Dylan, Miel, Bodhi, and Novalee. Numerous great grandchildren including his buddy, Matao, nieces, nephews, in-laws and extended family, two dogs, Askem and Stewie also survive.
He was predeceased by his parents, Evelyn and Norman Priestley; Infant Grandson, D’Axe Priestley; mother-in-law and father-in-law, Adeline and Wilfred Trewin.
A Celebration of Dan's Life will be held on Tuesday, February 18th, from 1:00 pm until 4:00 pm at the Vickers Heights Community Centre. Should friends so desire, donations made in memory of Dan to the Heart and Stroke Foundation or Diabetes Canada would be greatly appreciated.
Arrangements have been entrusted to the Westfort Chapel, 420 West Gore Street at James.
Please sign the online condolences at everestofthunderbay.com
