aniel Lee Pilon, 71, died on February 1, peacefully at home surrounded by family after his battle with pancreatic cancer. He was born in Olean, New York on Aril 9, 1946.
Family
He was one of eight children; Jackson Taylor, Norman Taylor, Faith (Ross) Seltzer, Suzanne Taylor, Dawn (Andy) Bristol, and Darlene (David) Darush, several nieces and nephews and great nieces and great nephews. He is preceded in death by brother, Alfred Taylor, maternal step-grandfather and maternal grandmother. Mr. Pilon is survived by his mother, Flossie Nickols, wife, Nina, four children; Todd (Julia) McDonald, Maureen (Larry) Zurek, Gail McDonald and Brenda (Kevin) Kamerer, six grandchildren, and four great-grandchildren.
Military
Daniel Lee is a Marine and served in the Vietnam War. He was decorated with a rifle sharpshooters badge, a pistol marksman badge, a Purple Heart, Vietnam Service Medal, National Defense Service Medal, and the Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal. In later years, he was an active part of Morris F. Dixon Detachment 54 Marine Corps League, serving as Commandant this past year, earning the Marine Corps Marine of the year award at the 2017 Marine Corps Ball. He was also an active part of the Detachments Honor Guard, and several political organizations.
Life
Daniel Lee enjoyed hunting, traveling and spending time with family and friends. His real passion was restoring cars and purchased a 1932 Dodge sedan, not to restore but to drive. The car has been totally rebuilt and indeed a show stopper.
The discipline and patriotism he learned in the Marine Corps never left him as family and friends will attest to. Daniel learned many skills and held several positions during his lifetime. He was a residential contractor for 35 years, building custom homes in FL., IL. and Iowa. He was a custom and master woodworker, along with building custom Yacht furniture in the Tampa Bay area. Daniel Lee was always eager to learn and always creating including building some of his own equipment in his woodworking shop. He found a balance between putting his family and friends first. He was still working in his woodworking shop until mid-September, 2017. He had a skill set like no other and earned the reputation of the person to go to when all other avenues had been explored. He got the job done whether large or small. He was always eager to teach others.
Daniel Lee was respected by all who came in contact with him.
Services
A celebration of Daniel Lee’s Life, social hour and luncheon will be held at the American Legion Post 273, 600 American Legion Drive, Madeira Beach, Fl. on Thursday, February 15 from 11:30 am – 1:30 pm. A graveside service with full military honors will be held at 2:15 pm, at Bay Pines National Cemetery, 10,000 Bay Pines Blvd, St. Petersburg, Fl.
Special Acknowledgements
In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to Heaven on Earth for Veterans, Inc. This organization provides group housing for veterans in need within our local community and Daniel Lee was passionate about. All donations are tax deductible and 100% of your donation goes directly to helping veterans. Please go to their website provided for more information and to donate at www.heavenonearth4veterans.org.
Great human being, Marine, Republican, husband, son, father, brother, friend. Rest in peace dear Lee, you will be missed by all of us who knew you…
A man’s man who put family, nation and service above all else. God only made one Lee Pilon and Lee will be sorely missed.
Lee was the first to volunteer and the last to leave. He thought of the well-being of our country before himself.
He was a good man and I was lucky to know him.
Mike.
Lee was truly a good man, great storyteller. It was an honor to share many adventures and call him friend. Semper Fi Lee, job well done.
Lee was a gentleman and was very involved in the political process. His military service prepared him for his many ventures , he would never give up and that was the man we will always remember, a dear friend and one of a kind.
Lee knew the meaning of true patriotism in action and not just fluff. What a shining example he was! May his memory be eternal and his family comforted by the Lord’s peace that passes all understand ing.❤
Dan, I will miss you a great deal. We had many talks and now you are on guard duty. I will see you soon when I report for duty.
Nina and Lee,
love you both so much! Lee was always so kind and warm. He will be so missed!
Dear Nina & Family,
Brad and I are so very sorry for your loss of this wonderful man, Papa Lee. Our hearts go out to you all. Know that you are I our thoughts and prayers and that we are praying for solace in this difficult time.
Carol & Brad
Being made an Associate Member of MCL Detachment 54 was and is a very big deal to me. Danny always made me feel welcome and treated me like “one of the guys.” Why do the good ones die young? He loved people and he certainly may have been guilty of loving Marines “just a little bit more.”
Lee was a close friend and confidant, my heart felt heavy hearing the news. He was a Great Patriot who cared deeply for his family, his friends, his fellow Marines and his country. Lee’s actions and commitment was always about others and for their futures. He will always be remembered and missed dearly. God Bless this Marine.
Nina: you and Lee have been in my thoughts and prayers the past several weeks. I know that you have years of great memories with Lee. I hope that those memories will comfort you in the days, weeks and months to come. I’ll continue to pray for you and your beautiful family. Love you dear friend.
Great leader, great friend We will never forget you.
Thanks for what you did for our country
Dan Pilon was my commandant at MCL detachment #54. He was the most unselfish man I ever knew. He loved his men and we loved him. I will always treasure knowing him.
Lee will be terribly missed, outstanding Marine, man and great guy. Always willing to jump in and help whenever necessary. His contributions were second to none. Rest In Peace Marine!
Lee will be terribly missed, outstanding Marine, man and great guy. Always willing to jump in and help whenever necessary. His contributions were second to none. Rest In Peace!
My best partner ever. You will be missed. Pete
Rest In Peace airborne Marine!
Danny talked me into the honor guard which I enjoy. And he thanked me after every event. He will always be missed. Semper Fi.
Fair winds and following seas Marine. Your enthusiasm and willingness to help all Marines and Veterans will be sorely missed. Thank you for being a friend. Semper fi
You were a Marine’s Marine. Your dedication to the League has been responsible for the Detachment’s existence. You have not left us just changed duty stations. Semper Fi Marine
My deepest and most heartfelt sympathies.
Dan will be missed .Thanks for all you did for the MCL
Semper Fi , Semper Fortis
Doc Schraeder
No matter how long you knew Lee it was too short. Florida is a much lesser place without his drive and common sense. His friendship was a treasure and his patriotism a lesson to everyone. He will be sorely missed but never ever forgotten. Condolences to his family. May his strength help see them through this very difficult time.
Lee was a man of his word. He demonstrated love and compassion for his family, country, friends, and work. Lee always went above and beyond in serving others. Lee was passionate in everything he did excelling in all things. He will be missed by many. We are honored to call Lee a friend. Nina, you will be in our prayers as you go through this painful time of loss. We love you.
Met Dani while we were both stationed in Hawaii in 1965. He was a Marine and I was a dependent. My Dad was in the Army My whole family adopted him and my Mom loved him like a son. We had a lot of fun and we all loved him. He had a heart as big as the Big Island. Rest In Peace Dani Boy.