Daniel Steele

Daniel H. Steele, age 79, of Islamorada, Florida, formerly of Forked River, New Jersey, passed away on January 3, 2023 in Florida. 

Dan was born July 6, 1943 in Summit, New Jersey. He worked for over 40 years in New Jersey real estate development and commercial construction, including his own construction management company, until he retired to Islamorada in the Florida Keys, where he could fish to his heart’s content…and he did just that. 

He will be remembered for his love and devotion to his wife and family and his addiction to fishing. Friends and neighbors in the Keys referred to him as “Wahoo Dan” because he could catch them when no one else could find them. He had a similar reputation with the striped bass in New Jersey. He instilled his love of boats, fishing and the sea in his grandchildren. He enjoyed sharing his homemade fishing lures, his extensive knowledge and fishing techniques with anyone wanting to learn. If he wasn’t on his boat fishing, you could find him puttering and making fishing lures in his garage. 

Dan was predeceased by his parents, John and Dorothy Steele and his brothers, John and Richard. Dan leaves behind his wife of 59 years, Rosemary; his daughter and son-in-law, Cheryl & Bill Shoemaker; his grandchildren, William Shoemaker II and his significant other Kyra, Chelsea Sikora Cortes & her husband Dave, and Daniel Sikora & his wife Kayla; his great grandson Jaxon; his brother-in-law and his wife, Mike & Lauren Hliva; our cherished friend, Joy Clevenger; and many more friends, fishing companions, nephews, nieces and cousins.

May the skies be clear, may the seas be calm, and may the Budweiser be cold. 

Rest in Peace Dad. We all miss you.

Services were private.