Daniel W. Cabrera JR. of Burlington, VT, went home to be with our Lord and Savior on Wednesday December 8th, 2021, after a month long battle from the COVID virus.
Dan was born in Burlington, Vermont on November 13th, 1981 to Daniel & Agnes (Harris) Cabrera. He was the oldest of 3 children.
Dan grew up in Burlington, Vermont and for a short time, in Arizona, graduating from Burlington High School in the class of 2000. He worked many years in the service industry being a light in the darkness no matter where he worked. His last places of employment were Ben’s Sandwiches and the Rotisserie Restaurant. His FAVORITE job, though on the side & in his spare time, was detailing cars, especially classic cars.
Dan is survived by his young children, Ila and Myles. He also leaves behind his fiancée Ashley Cawley & her daughter Natalie. Dan predeceased his parents Dan Cabrera Sr, and Agnes Cabrera. Dan’s stepmother Karen Cabrera passed away this past August. He leaves behind his brother Nicholas, his sister Sarah Sweeney, stepbrother Andrew Harris, and stepsister Tammy Rich. He also leaves behind many aunts and uncles along with many nieces and nephews.
Dan made family time a priority and anyone who that knew Dan, knew he was a proud dad. His second passion was classic cars and he could be seen at many events with his children and his dad. Dan was also part of the Crosspoint Church family in Williston where he and his son BOTH got baptized a couple of years ago.
Here is part of a tribute that his brother Nicholas wrote.
“My brother Dan, is officially an Angel.
He’s going to a place where they are celebrating to get him. They know the type of man and person they are receiving and they could not be happier.
We are getting a lot of love and support from so many people. That shows how many lives and people Dan has reached. Dan didn’t care, who you were, where you were from, what your religion was, what skin color you are, how much money you had or didn’t have. Dan tried to connect to everyone, everywhere, and he remembered Everyone! He could talk to anyone and make them feel important.
We all knew the type of person he was. Wore his heart on his sleeve and always said whatever he was thinking. I see so many people saying how great of a person and father he is. That is all very true, but let me tell you. For as good of a father, friend and person Dan was, he was an even better big brother. I always said it, he was the best brother in the world. He always took care of me and did anything I asked of him. He would drop everything and anything if I needed it. He was a better brother to me than I was to him. That breaks my heart.
Dan is now at peace and no longer suffering.
Anything anyone would like to do, please pay it forward. Whatever that might be, donate blood, food, clothes, time, and maybe even some kind words to a stranger. When that person turns to say “thank you”. Tell them the same thing.
Pay It Forward. Anyone that knows Dan, knows that he was the most selfless person and always was looking to help others. That is how we Honor him and his name.”
Daniel Wayne Cabrera Jr. 1981-2021 Rest In Peace!
We will see you again!
The family would like to thank and show our appreciation for both the ER & ICU staff at the UVM Medical Center that tirelessly cared for Dan until he was flown to Rochester NY to continue his care. We also want to thank and show our appreciation to the CICU staff at the Strong Memorial Hospital in Rochester, NY. Their communication & compassion didn’t go unnoticed; especially with our family being over 7 hours away. They not only took care of Dan, but also myself while I’ll spent many days there with Dan. Kudos to ALL the frontline healthcare workers !!!
Last, BUT not least, Pastor Todd, for checking in with me many times each & EVERY day and NIGHT. He made sure I was being taken care of both emotionally & financially while I spent over 3 weeks with Dan in NY. God sent me an angel!!
Saturday January 22nd at 10am, there will be a Celebration of Life at Vibrant Church at 2025 Williston Rd in South Burlington, VT.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital. www.stjude.org
Online condolences can be made at: www.rochestercremation.com
Arrangements were entrusted to the care of the Rochester Cremation in Rochester, NY.
Being one of his Uncles, Dan JR will surely be missed. He definitely had lots of love for his family…. I love him very much!!!
I was lucky to have known Dan for as long as I did. I had lost contact with him until he started working for Ben’s and was delivering to my jolleys in Milton. He would come in and chat for a bit before he left and always made sure I was doing ok. I remember this one morning after he saw a post about being depressed he came right in and walked up to me and gave me a big hug. He didn’t know it then but I really needed that hug. I will miss seeing him the 3 times a week I got to see him and sitting there laughing with him. Fly high dan till we meet again love you brother. To his family I’m very sorry for your loss and will continue to pray for you all. And for Dan I will continue to pay it forward
Natalie and I didn’t get to have Dan in our lives nearly long enough but we were so blessed to get the time with him that we did. He was the strongest and most caring soul anyone could ever hope to meet. He accepted Natalie and loved her a his own as we made plans for the future. Dan always put family first and spent as much time with his kids, parents, siblings, uncle, etc as he could. Over the last few years, this grew to include my family as well. His smile was a beacon of light and his embrace so warm and comforting. The Lord called him back home, so now we have a strong, compassionate angel watching over us. I will see him in every sunrise and sunset. And I will love him forever.
Ashley:
I am glad that Dan brought you over to meet me. You are an awesome person and I know that you made Dan very happy. and it was very obvious to me just how much you loved him and He you. I know that he told you just how special I was to him and he will always be considered my 3rd adopted son, you know he always called me mom. I know that he will always live on in you and if you ever see a cardnial come into your yard, it has been said that is your loved ones checking up on you. So the next time you see a cardinal I am sure that it will be Dan checking up on you. Stay Strong, God will give you His strength, God will wrap His loving arms around you and He will give you the Peace that passes all understanding. Stay in touch if you can.
Love Jane “Mom #3 Weiss”
I know my words cant make this better or easier to dan Sr or to his family but may our friendship and prayers ease u though this difficult time .
Dan was the spark in any room he walk into .I looked for him at every car show and his family I enjoyed the visits with his children.
I leave with you ,my peace I give to you . John 14:27
I worked with Dan at the Rotisserie. He became a friend and I will cherish that forever. We miss you Dan..I miss your big bear hugs. See you on the other side…save me a spot.
Sorry for ur loss to the family I went to school with Dan and have known him for over 20 years he will be missed by so many rip Dan intell we meet again
I remember Dan well from bhs. Really nice young man and a hard worker. So sorry nick. RIP dan
Dan and I became good friends via the car community. I knew him for 5 or 6 years. He was always personable and jovial. He was always happy at a car show, and he would always make a point to come and say hi to me. He was the kind of person who would give you the shirt off his back to help out. We need more people on this planet like him. I’m very sad to not have his friendship anymore. I will always remember him fondly though, and I wish his family the best in these difficult times.
Dan was my Best Friend. Him and I dated for a while but we both came to terms that we didn’t want to lose our friendship which meant the world to both of us. He was always there for me when I needed him and vise Vera’s. His hugs were the best hugs in the world. Sometimes he would hold me longer then Needed but I was okay with that. He got to know my whole family and they all loved him too. Besides his family I was the first one he told he was gonna be a daddy! I was so excited for him that I ran to give him a hug when I saw him knocking us both over. We laughed so hard that day. It was awesome!!! I’m gonna miss you buddy, but your up there with dad and I know you are okay. We will see see each other again and we will have our hugs and our laughs. Until I see Again know I’m down hear carrying you with me everyday, and I love ya!!!
Dan Jr. Was a kind , generous and loving young man. His young kids are an example of these qualities because you see them in his children. His legacy will live on . His side job of doing detailing was quality work. He did work for my Husband Craig at Jaques Auto body many times. So proud to know him. His Dad Dan Sr. Speaks highly of him and has prayed for young Dan fervently over the month he was Ill.
For as long as I’ve known Dan he was always so happy. He became happier when he talked about his children. He loved them very much. They just adopted a cat and Dan was so happy that he was doing this for his children. My husband, Sparky, worked with Dan on cars. Dan loved his cars and he detailed them to make them look brand new. You mention a meal and Dan was happy to do anything for you. I provided him many lunches. Rest in pease my friend. I think of you every day.
I didn’t know Dan but I just read the obituary. Dan sounded like he was quite a guy. My kind of person. I will keep him and his family in my daily prayers.
Dan
I knew Dan from church and men’s groups! He would always go out of his way to say, “hi” whenever our paths met or crossed and would always ask how me and my dad and family were. He took the time and always remembered what we talked about previously. I remember Dan jr. always with a smile and awesome outlook on life. Even when he shared he was in some hard times he always had a positive outlook on life! He has and will forever leave a legacy behind! Till next time friend!
We ment dan when we first went to the heaven on wheels car show We became friends after that. I’m going to miss seeing him in at car shows and gathering with his kids and talking with Myles about our car. I’ll miss texting him he helped me so much by talking when I lost my parents a week apart last year I am so grateful to have known him. It’s still really hard to believe that he’s gone. My thoughts and prayers are with his family.
Dan Jr is my nephew but that didn’t matter Dan was special to everyone he was ajoker he could make you laugh laugh when you were down in the darkness for whatever reason he would cheer you up stay with you still you were good and if you need help with anything at all he was a phone call away didn’t matter what it was even just a hug he will be missed by all a very special young man but God needed another great angel for a very special mission and new Dan Jr was the perfect man for the job God bless you Dan Jr
Dan was my student in middle school. He always stopped to say hello to me and as his brother stated made me feel like I was an important part of his life. Wish there were words that would help his family at this time. He was on of my students who became a very good man.
Dan Jr was very special to me. I considered him my 3rd adopted son, always called me Mom. He helped me a lot, He detailed my car, if I needed to have something done or anything, if he could he would always be there. There is a huge hole in my heart, I have lost a true friend. Dan had a heart of gold, he was always a very giving person. I know because he was there for me. I can’t find one negative thing to say about Dan Jr. because I never saw him once be negative about anything. His relationship with God was his first priority. His kids were his life and he was a darn good father to them. They even called me gramma Jane. Dan always worked very hard, I know he was working 3 different jobs before he got covid. He was so giving that he even helped my son Keith move down to Indiana. Both of them had their cars jam packed full and drove all the way down to Indiana. I had moved a couple times and he was always there to help. I can’t tell you just how much he meant to me, but I know that now he isn’t suffering and he isn’t in anymore pain. Now he is in the arms of Jesus and I am sure that he has already connected with Karen. I love ya and I will always miss you and you will always have a special place in my heart. Thank you for all the things that you did for me and the wonderful friend that you were, and you will always be my 3rd adopted son. Love Mom #3
Dan was my sister Agnes oldest Son. Dan was Loved by All. He would give the shirt off his back if you needed it. In need help in the middle of the night He would come. He will be missed by all.Dan will rest in peace with our God and Jesus in Heaven.
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