Daniel "Dan" Norman Longaker, III

Daniel Norman Longaker III died unexpectedly on Thursday, August 3, 2023.  The Longaker family lost a loving husband, father and grandfather. Dan was a resident of Petaluma for 61 years, moving to Petaluma with his wife, Joanne, and one-year old son, Daniel IV, in 1962.

Dan was born to Daniel and Louise (Meeks) in Berkeley, CA on March 12, 1936.  He graduated from Berkeley High School in 1954 and went on to achieve his undergraduate degree from San Francisco State University and a Master’s in Education from Stanford University.

Dan is predeceased by his brother, David, and survived by his wife of 62 years, Joanne Longaker (Carothers) and his six children, Daniel IV, Tom (Lisa), Robert, Scott (Nicki), Mike (Sarah) and Kathleen (Daniel) Fanucchi. He was blessed with ten grandchildren: Casey, Annalee, Sophia, Rocco, Alyssa, Luke, Jack, Ben, Drew, and Tess.

Dan served as a school principal and teacher in the Old Adobe Union School District for 37 years. He also thoroughly enjoyed a second career in the Viansa winery tasting room for another 28 years, finally retiring for good in 2020.

Dan was an avid woodworker and loved to spend time in his shop working on wood projects for family or to donate to various charities.  If you really needed to find him, the first place you would look was in his workshop! 

He was also an active member of the Petaluma Park and Recreation department as well as volunteer with the Petaluma Swim Club, Petaluma Boys & Girls Club, Petaluma National Little League, St. Vincent CYO Basketball, and Petaluma High School Boosters Club for many years.  Later in life he enjoyed volunteering for both the St. Vincent church and the Meals on Wheels organizations.

Dan especially loved his grandchildren, never missing a single event. He would travel all over California to attend baseball games, dance recitals, musical concerts and many other activities that his grandchildren were involved in.

Family and friends are invited to a Memorial Mass on Friday, August 18 at 1:00 pm at St. Vincent de Paul Catholic Church in Petaluma.

In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to Dan’s favorite charity, Buckelew Programs (buckelew.org), or your favorite charity.

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