Daniel Korner leaves us having lived a very full life with no regrets. Born in Hoboken, New Jersey, in 1937. He is survived by his wife Vivian; daughter Dawn and her husband Mark Vanderbilt; sons Rick Koerner and his wife Natasha, Kristian and his wife Jessica; his brother George; grandsons Jonathan Vanderbilt and Jake Koerner; granddaughters Hailey Koerner and Ava Koerner; and great grandson Landon Vanderbilt.
Dan met his wife Vivian at Yankee Stadium, they were both volunteering during a set up for a Jehovah’s Witness Convention. Vivian and Dan were married in 1960 and celebrated 64 years of marriage.
An I.B.E.W union electrician for 37 years in New York and New Jersey, Daniel worked on the second business mainframe computer UNIVAC 2 and wired the basement of the Twin Towers, which yes was later blown up by terrorists in 1993. In the 1980s, he spent time on the clock pranking guests at Six Flags Great Adventure in between fixing rides and rollercoasters. Dan and a co-worker once found themselves stalked by a lion while working in the open air safari at the park.
One of his early jobs was working at the 1964 World’s Fair in New York City. His passing marks the death of another person that worked with Walt Disney in person, a small demographic.
Holding firm to his Christian faith, Dan faced the Korean War draft as a conscious objector. The FBI came to his and Vivian’s New York apartment, and arrested him. Daniel spent 6 months in a prison that was a working farm. Dan ended up enjoying his time there learning farming and animal husbandry.
Dan was an avid fisherman, camper, wood worker, traveler, and enjoyed time on the water. Dan and Vivian spent time in their retirement exploring Alaska, Europe, and Central America. One of his favorite trips started in the Arctic Circle, then proceeded down to each Fjord in Norway.
Toward the end of his life, Dan was deeply compassionate toward his caretakers. He told stories of his life, but also he listened to them, understood their challenges, and showed constant empathy when they were not feeling well.
Daniel was a man of deep faith, but also held enough skepticism to understand the changing world. He will be missed dearly by his family and friends.
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