Daniel passed away peacefully in the early morning of February 10, 2026, at home in Silverton with his wife, Paula by his side. Having suffered a collapsed lung in his early 20's, along with a long hospital stay, he had decided many years ago that when his days were coming to an end, his preference would be to die at home and not be subjected to tubes and machines and early morning wake ups in a hospital. He died as he lived, doing it his way after a long, productive life of 79 years.

He was born the youngest of four siblings on August 26, 1946, in Detroit, Michigan to parents Isabelle and Edward Sugajski. While he was in Junior High his family moved to Southern California, the perfect environment for him to develop his love and talent for music and art. So many things to do and so little time. He learned how to play the piano by watching others without ever learning how to read music. He played by ear and had perfect pitch, could hear a song and then replay it, remembering every note. He played guitar and/or keyboards with a variety of bands over the years, met and hung out with a number of musical celebrities before they were famous, including Tina Turner, Neil Young, Cher and Dwight Yoakam.

Daniel was the proverbial Renaissance man when it came to his career. An old resume indicates that he was not only a musician, but he worked at JC Penny's in both Whittier and Chico, California as a Merchandise Presentation Supervisor. He was also a professional hairdresser running his own Salon in Hollywood, CA for a short time. He then owned and operated a Handyman business in Paso Robles, California. Moved to Chico, California and owned two antique stores, a used clothing store, worked as a DJ at the Holiday Inn in Chico, California and the Radio Station KNVR in Paradise, California. He also became a paralegal for two Work Injury Attorneys in Chico, California, and most recently owned and operated Silverton Music & More, an interesting little music store in Silverton, Oregon.

He was married twice but divorced both after only a few years. Then in 1999 he chose the love of his life, Paula, after watching her ballroom dance and deciding that he wanted to be her only partner, so he married her in 2000, and they stayed married for 26 years. He was happiest surrounded by and enjoying music in the many venues provided by the Silverton community. You could always see him around town wearing his black hat and sunglasses and carrying his harmonica case just waiting for the opportunity to contribute his musical talents and perhaps to tell a story or two.

Both of his parents, Edward and Isabelle, better known as Betty, his two sisters, Judy and Marlene, as well as his brother, Ron and his son, Dustin preceded him in death. He is survived by his wife, Paula, his Son, Kevin and his wife, Laurie. Daniel also has two grandsons, Kyle and Trevor. Kyle and his wife, Ashley have two daughters and one son, all living in California.

A Celebration of Life will be held at his home in Silverton. Date and time to be determined.