Daniel C. Klein

Daniel C. Klein, 81, of Cruiser Oaks, Ocala, FL, passed away peacefully at home on Saturday, June 22nd, 2024. He was born on August 24th, 1942, in East Meadow, New York. Danny was raised in Floral Park, New York. Upon leaving Floral Park Memorial High School in 1960, Danny joined the United States Marine Corps and served honorably until his discharge as an LCPL in September of 1964. His duties in the USMC gave him the experience required to work for Grumman Aerospace on the Apollo Lunar Module landing gear for Lunar Modules 1 to 11, from 1964 to 1969. In October of 1969, he began his career with the New York City Police Department. After graduating from the Police Academy, he was assigned to the 9th Precinct (East 5th Street, Manhattan). Promoted from rookie to detective and subsequently to Sergeant, he remained with the 9th Precinct – training rookies fresh out of the Police Academy until the opportunity presented itself for him to join the NYPD Mounted Unit. He traded his radio car for Cruiser, his only mount, and served in the Mounted Unit until his retirement in November of 1994. Moving from Long Island to a mini farm in Ocala, Florida, Danny enjoyed fishing from his Grady White on the Great South Bay; hunting with the boys from Bartow and Lakeland up in Georgia, golfing with his two sons and grandsons; his horses, the birds and turkeys which came to feed by the porch, and the many hours with the music of Willie Nelson’s Roadhouse in his pickup truck and on his tractor. Danny was blessed to have known and shared many years with a loving family. His wife, Mary Ellen, of 57 years; his two sons, John Daniel and William Daniel Klein, and his daughter-in-law, Lee; his two grandsons, Shawn Daniel Klein and Joseph William Klein – for whom he is forever and always, Duke. Under the love and care of his wife are his “boys” – their two German Short-Hair Pointers, Flyn (14Yrs) and Bandit (9Yrs), and his Paint Quarter Horse, Rio. He will be remembered fondly for his love of animals and his great sense of humor by family and friends. The family thanks the doctors and nurses at HCA West Marion Hospital, and the administrative staff, doctors, and nurses of Hospice of Marion County, Team West. In his memory, the family requests donations to ROAR Florida, at roarflorida.org, a residential community for adults with unique capabilities. Rest easy, in the heart of God.

Daniel C. Klein

August 24, 1942 - June 22, 2024