Daniel William Waitkus

Daniel William Waitkus, 47, of Waymart, PA passed away on December 7, 2021 after a brief but aggressive illness.  Daniel was born on April 17,1974 in Wilkes-Barre, PA to William A. Waitkus and Penelope Hunter Waitkus.

Dan met Tara Lane while working at Cafe.com in Kingston, PA where he was a chef and she ran the front of the house. It was love at first sight and they were nearly inseparable from the day they met, doing everything together. On July 2, 2005 Dan married Tara, the love of his life, at the Settler's Inn, Hawley, PA. Dan and Tara were meant to be together and she preceded him in death by just a month after a courageous, nearly ten-year, battle with cancer. Tara succumbed to the disease on November 4, 2021.

Dan graduated from Coughlin High School in 1992 after which he attended King's College in Wilkes-Barre, PA earning a Bachelor of Science degree in Marketing in 1996. Dan simultaneously worked his first career position in sales while attending The French Culinary Institute in New York City. After graduating in 1999, Dan worked as a chef in New Jersey and NEPA until 2005 when he changed careers and put his combined education to use as a Healthcare Specialist for Reinhart Foodservice/Performance Foodservice Group, where he was employed until his passing.

Dan and Tara were also the proprietors of New Leaf Farm, a wedding barn and event venue, in Waymart, PA. Tara, a life long horse lover, had dreamed of having a wedding barn one day and together she and Dan made that dream come true, hosting their first wedding in their newly built venue in September 2018.

Dan loved Tara, cooking, the NY Mets, riding his Harley, playing his guitars, country music, attending concerts and singer/songwriter festivals, spending time with family and friends, the quiet life on the farm, playing games, running the wedding barn, meeting new people and traveling, especially to New York City, Cape May, NJ and Key West, FL where you could find him having breakfast at Blue Heaven, lunch at B.O.'s Fish Wagon, watching the sunset on Mallory Square, or grabbing a drink at Sloppy Joe's.

Dan was especially proud of his nieces/goddaughters, Alexa and Paige Danko and their many accomplishments from field hockey goals to college graduation. He enjoyed spending time with them and watching them become the young women they are today. Post diagnosis, Dan was able to attend Alexa's surprise engagement on November 7, 2021 at Blue Ridge Winery as well as Thanksgiving dinner with the family and for that we will be forever grateful.

Easygoing and fun-loving Dan had many friends and co-workers who became friends throughout the years and enjoyed spending time with each of them. Thanks to Gino, Redmond, Lippy, Jim, Bill, Neil, Dave, Amanda, Lois, Peter, Mark and all of his Waymart neighbors for providing fun, food, comfort, conversation, laughter and guitar lessons. Each and every one of you was very special to Dan and we thank you for enriching his like.

Dan was a member of the Bennett-Derr United Methodist Church where, as a young boy, he served as acolyte. He was also a member of the cub scouts.

Dan was preceded in death by his beloved wife, Tara, his father William "Billy" Waitkus, maternal grandparents, George and Mildred Hunter, paternal grandparents, Lillian and Anthony "Tony" Waitkus.

Dan is survived by mother, Penelope Waitkus, sister Penne, sister Jennifer Danko and husband Larry, niece Alexa Danko and fiancé Bobby Russell, niece Paige Danko and significant other Kyle Gattuso, uncles, aunts, cousins and his loving dogs, Reggie and Violet.

The family would like to thank all of the nurses from Hospice of the Scared Heart in Dunmore who took exceptional care of both Dan and Tara and provided comfort to the family during this difficult journey. They truly are angels, especially Kathryn and Jen, who went above and beyond on countless occasions.

Funeral Services will be private at the request of the family.  A joint Celebration of Life for Dan and Tara is planned for Spring 2022.  Details to follow.

Donations in Memory of Dan and Tara Waitkus may be made to Hospice of the Sacred Heart, 100 Williams St., Dunmore, PA 18510.