Daniel Vert

Daniel Vert, 62, passed away unexpectedly Saturday morning, June 14th, 2014.

Dan was afflicted with Polio as a child, but he did not let this hamper his life pursuits. As a young boy he enjoyed playing Little League baseball and excelled as a pitcher for the Williamsburg Little League. After the family moved to Traverse City he was a paperboy for the Record Eagle. During high school he took on the role of “roadie” for the local rock band, Third Stone Connection, that his brother Don and several of their friends were in. He graduated from Saint Francis High School in 1970. He attended Grand Valley State University where he majored in Psychology and Liberal Arts. Later he spent some time hitch-hiking across the country where he experienced and appreciated the cultural diversity of the different states that he visited. One of his favorite trips was a road trip that he took to Alaska with some really good friends. He shared many stories that came out of that trip.

Dan was employed as a professional cleaner in a family business, and was more recently self-employed as a professional painter, both residential and commercial. In the past he and Joyce owned and operated Coulter Creek Bed & Breakfast in Central Lake, MI. In the warm weather months, after the work was done for the day they could often be found down by the water taking a swim and/or sitting in the Adirondack chairs relaxing and looking at the peaceful view of the lawns and Lake Hanley. Dan also worked at Traverse Brewing while they had the B&B.

Dan has been described as a Free Spirit, an original, and a free thinker; all who knew him appreciated him, among other things, for his strong ethics, deep commitments and feeling for his friends and family, as well as for his humor and his distinctive laugh. He was a kind and gentle soul and great fun, but could turn serious and very protective of those he cared for. He loved listening to music and working outside in the yard. Dan enjoyed viewing his favorite television programs on the History Channel, National Geographic, and Animal Planet, with his favorite show being American Pickers. He also loved talking to his neighbors and getting together with friends. Most of all he loved to just stay at home and spend time with Joyce and their cat, Buddy.

Dan is survived by his loving Life Partner of 20 years, Joyce (Pickard) Slater, as well as his mother Francis Vert, his sisters Jeannette (Al) Williams, Kay (Ron) Boals, and Emily Hennrick, his brothers Tom (Sue) Vert, Mike Vert, Don (Colleen) Vert, and Tony Vert. He is also survived by many nieces and nephews.

Dan was preceded in death by his father, Louis Vert, brother Jim Vert, his brother-in-law Bill Hennrick, and several close friends.

Dan touched many lives and will be missed by all of them. A private memorial gathering will be held at a future date. Please check back for more information on that in the weeks to come.