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Daniel F. Zaneski, age 69, of Madison, husband of Gail Zaneski since 1967, passed away unexpectedly on Oct. 14 at his home with family by his side. Daniel was born on December 21, 1945, in New London, the son of the late Bruno Zaneski and Clara Holloway.

Daniel as a young man resided in Waterford before settling in Madison. He graduated from CCSU with a bachelor’s of science in education and his master’s degree in counseling. Dan was a varsity letterman in both football and track while at CCSU. Sports were always a huge part of his life. Dan started his coaching career at Fitch Senior High School and was appointed head track and football coach at St. Paul’s in Bristol in 1969. He then pursued his love of coaching at the collegiate level in 1972, when he started the Mattatuck Community College football program. In 1974, his team captured the National Junior College Championship. He furthered his coaching career at the University of Louisville in Kentucky, Plymouth State University in New Hampshire, and Maryville College in Tennessee. Dan closed out his coaching career as an offensive coordinator in the Semi-Professional American Football Association. He then chose to focus on family, moving to Madison and was employed as a college administrator by the State of Connecticut at Three Rivers Community College. He retired in 2012. Dan’s love of sports did not stop at the professional level. Once in Madison, he helped to enrich the community with the beginning of the Shoreline Conference for Madison Youth Football, which is still a huge part of the community today. Everyone who knew him, knew football was his true passion and his love of coaching and family ignited his internal fire. He will be missed by all of those who loved him.

In addition to his wife Gail, he is survived by his daughter Deborah Fiorella (Tom) and his son Daniel F. Zaneski, II (Catherine), both of Madison. He was loved by his grandchildren William, Ashley, Madison, and Daniel Connor. He is also survived by his two brothers William Zaneski (Kathy) and Peter Zaneski (Laurie), both of Waterford, along with many nieces and nephews.

Calling hours were on Oct. 18 at Swan Funeral Home in Madison. A Mass of Christian burial was held at Saint Margaret’s Parish in Madison on Oct. 19. Burial followed at Evergreen Cemetery in Killingworth. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations can be made to the Tiger Pride Football Alumni Association Inc. in memory of Dan Zaneski, PO Box 281, Madison, CT 06443, or you can make donations on the website http://tigerpridefootball.com/donate-2/.