Duane R. Dann

1/12/26

Duane R. Dann, age 90, died peacefully at Iroquois Nursing Home in Jamesville, New York.

Duane was raised on a farm in Broome County, New York, by his parents, Wellington and Virginia Dann, along with three brothers and two sisters. As a young man he enjoyed participating in 4H activities and showed cattle at many county fairs. He graduated from Cornell University with a Bachelor of Science in Agriculture. Duane then served in the US Army rising to the rank of First Lieutenant. After a brief period of teaching, he began his career with the Soil Conservation Service (SCS), a federal agency of the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), in Syracuse. Following more than 30 years of government service with the USDA, Duane retired and later became a licensed pastor with the United Methodist Church, serving the New Hope Methodist Church in Niles, New York, for several years.

Duane moved to Skaneateles, New York, in 1968 and lived there through 2024. He and his first wife, Marilyn, raised three sons in Skaneateles. He was active in the Skaneateles Methodist Church and the National Campers and Hikers Association (NCHA). Duane served as a Scout leader, enjoyed organizing the annual Pinewood Derby, and took pride in helping young scouts build their derby cars. The family also treasured time spent at their camp on the south end of Skaneateles Lake.

In 1985, Duane married Lois Goodrich, expanding the family to include two sisters, two grown children, grandchildren, and numerous nieces and nephews. Annual Thanksgiving gatherings eventually moved to the fellowship hall of the Skaneateles Methodist Church to accommodate everyone. Duane and Lois were active members in the Skaneateles United Methodist Church for many years. They also enjoyed leading Vacation Bible School at the New Hope Church, traveling out west, and mission trips with destinations including Alaska and Kentucky. They also enjoyed spending time at a family camp on the St. Lawrence River and being with their grandchildren. Duane’s hobbies included photography, woodworking, and membership in a hunting camp in St. Lawrence County.

Duane is survived by one brother, Raymond (Margaret), and one sister, Linda (Bill); his three sons, Richard (Dawn), Chris (Gigi), and Jonathan (Anna); his stepson, Gerald (Denise); his stepdaughter, Carolyn; eight grandchildren, Gabriela (Ben), Sebastian, Nicole, Olivia, Ricky, Iliana, Melissa (Mike), and Lauren (Lawrence); and two great-grandchildren, Theodore and Luna. He was predeceased by his second wife, Lois; two brothers, Merlin and LaVerne; and one sister, Lorraine. Duane was also predeceased by his beloved and spoiled cat, Earl Gray.

Services for Duane will be held on Wednesday, January 21, 2026, at Robert D. Gray Funeral Home in Skaneateles. Calling hours will be at 10:00 a.m., followed by a Celebration of Life at 11:30 a.m. Duane will be laid to rest beside his wife Lois at Lakeview Cemetery in Skaneateles.

To leave condolences, please visit robertdgrayfuneralhome.com.