Obituary of Daniel James Rice

Daniel J. Rice Bainbridge, NY Daniel James Rice, 72, of Bainbridge, NY, passed away peacefully with his wife, Ada, at his side, on Tuesday, May 21, at A. O. Fox Memorial Hospital in Oneonta, NY, after a year long battle with lung cancer. He was predeceased by his parents, Daniel G. and Margaret P. Rice, of Binghamton, NY, and was the eldest of nine siblings. He grew up on Binghamton's East Side and graduated from Binghamton North High School, Bloomsburg University and State University of New York at Albany. He was a competitive diver at the high school and collegiate level. Dan was an English teacher for 38 years at Bainbridge-Guilford Central School District and if he was still with us this obituary would be covered in red ink with "Awkward!", "Poor Word Choice!" and "Run-on!" noted in the margins. He was passionate about a variety of activities throughout his life. He was a professional photographer, fishing charter captain on Cayuga Lake and retriever field trial trainer, handler and judge. He was an avid outdoorsman who fished and hunted in every season. He was always planning or executing his next home improvement project and taught his children the finer points of carpentry, plumbing and electrical repair. When his children were younger, he had a large vegetable garden and cut firewood every summer to heat the family home. He also enjoyed golf, spending time with friends and relatives, story telling and playing poker. He valued family and loved visits, especially from his grandchildren. His acerbic sense of humor, love of an intellectual debate or discussion of a good book occupied him on many enjoyable evenings with friends and family. He is survived by his wife, Ada of Bainbridge, NY; his six children: Daniel G. (Jennifer) Rice of Ashburn, VA, Patrick J. (Francesca) Rice of Fishkill, NY, Andrea M. Rice of Painted Post, NY, Gerald T. Rice of Colorado Springs, CO, Kimberly S. Rice (Joe Trotter) of Champaign, IL, and Brian J. (Jen) Rice of Painted Post, NY and his four grandchildren: Liam Rice of Scheinfeld, Germany, Danny and Claire Rice of Ashburn, VA, and Veronica Rice of Painted Post, NY. He is also survived by his eight brothers and sisters: Margaret (Dick) Jeffrey of Shreveport, LA, Judy (Pat) Van Tuyl of Binghamton, NY, John (Marge) Rice of Vienna, MO, James (Carol) Rice of Vestal, NY, Mary (Nick) Serafini of Brackney, PA, Robert (Kathy) Rice of Conklin, NY, William (Michele) Rice of Vestal, NY, and Kevin (Judy) Rice of Vestal, NY. He is also survived by numerous nieces, nephews and cousins. Dan is also missed intensely by his four Labrador retrievers: Gus, Grace, Drone and Mission. Calling hours will be held from 5-8 p.m. on Friday, May 24, 2013 at C.H. Landers Funeral Chapel, 21 Main St., Sidney, NY. A funeral mass will be held at Sacred Heart Church, 15 Liberty St., Sidney, NY on Saturday, May 25, at 11:00 AM. In keeping with Dan's wishes, his mortal remains will be cremated. Memorial contributions in Dan's memory may be made to the American Cancer Society , 5 Oak St., Sidney, NY 13838; the American Red Cross, 33 Everett Rd., Albany, NY 12205; or Hospice & Palliative Care of Chenango County, 21 Hayes St., Norwich, NY 13815. Condolences to the family may be made online by visiting www.landersfh.com.