Dennis (Dan) Wirth, age 78, of Clearwater, formerly of Los Angeles, California, passed away Friday, December 12, 2008 at Woodside Hospice in Pinellas Park, Florida. He was born and raised in Gary, Indiana where he attended Horace Mann High School. Dan served his country with the Marine Corps aboard a cruiser. He became a technical writer at the California Vandenburg Space Center and later established a business of manufacturing ship masts. Following that venture, Dan went to Vietnam where he started a salvage company and recovered ships stranded during the Vietnam War. He purchased and developed nine ships for a Taiwanese steel mill. He later berthed and maintained five US Navy Ready Reserve Fleet Cargo vessels in California. Dan had an opportunity to work on a lightering/barge operation in Saudi Arabia, and salvaged ex-US Navy minesweeper to recover parts for the Mexican Navy. Dan conducted major repairs on two damaged vessels for delivery to Taiwan as well as repairs for transport of earth moving equipment to Iraq. In his later years, Dan acquired a cargo airline in Miami, Florida, moving freight to and from Central America and the Caribbean.
Preceded in death by parents Stanley and Adele Wirth, and siblings John, Louis, Joseph and Dolores. His siblings Stanley, of Valparaiso, Indiana, and Richard, of Clearwater, Florida and Mary, of Houston, Texas and his three sons: Kirk, Brent and Armand, all of California survive him. He has many nephews, nieces and caring friends that will miss his presence in their lives.
He will be buried with military honors on December 18 at 2:30pm from the Florida National Cemetery in Bushnell, Florida.
Arrangements entrusted to Veterans Funeral Care, 15381 Roosevelt Blvd., Clearwater, Florida 33760. (800) 467-7850
You have our condolences and prayers.
We were neighbors at On Top of the World. Same building, unit #2.
You looked as strong last week as you were the day we first met over ten years ago. It’s hard to believe you’ve really gone to That Shipyard in The Sky. We are confident that ALL your questions have now been answered – God Speed – You will be missed.!
Dan: Thanks for more than 50
years of friendship. Hold fast my good pal…… I’ll bring the ice cream.
And we will smile and think
good thoughts.
Dan, we are so glad we got to know you. You will be truly missed. I know you are in New Zealand on our sailboat with your gorilla.
Dan, we are so glad we got to know you. You will be truly missed. I know you are in New Zealand on our sailboat with your gorilla.
We remember with fondness our numerous conversations with you followed by your favourite apple pie and ice cream. We cherished knowing you as a friend. Thank you for your kindness.
Dan, you will be remembered with much love and admiration by our family. Godspeed Dan,look down on us from time to time and make sure we are in line. Take care our friend, you will be in our thoughts and prayers.
Dan was a wonderful uncle and mentor to me all my life. I will miss him terribly.
Dearest Dan,
My most precious friend and love. You will be in my heart always. Throw off the bowlines. Sail away from the Safe Harbor. Catch the Trade Winds in your Sails. Thank you for being a part of my life.