I am very sorry to report that our classmate Dann DeBellis died on March 8, 2021. He has a lovely obituary in the Everett Herald.
Here's the test of the obit.
Snohomish County lost a legend early Monday morning. 'Dann the cabinet man' (aka "Big Steve") seized the beautiful, blue skies morning for his amazing spirit to take flight. God called him home, and he answered the Heavenly call.
Danny delighted in his vast variety of his chosen life rolls as a husband, father, friend, cabinet maker, coach, teacher, football player, counselor, comedian, memory maker, song writer, poet, cartoonist, story teller, musician, and so much more. He was also known for his avid enthusiasm for hang gliding, bungee jumping, rock climbing, and parachuting over the fields around his hometown he loved, Snohomish, WA. His love for camping and four-wheeling with his family took him on many road trips to areas of the United States he enjoyed getting to experience.
Dann had several motto's he would quote for all to hear; some traditional and familiar, though many were original to him. 'I work hard and I play hard!' is how he started every vacation or seated to take off on his beloved quad into the hills of Idaho. Danny thought time stood still when he would be seated by a campfire at his favorite campground in Rockport. Making memories was always the goal because they were precious to him and he called them 'smile makers' for the fun at the time and for later when looking back on the important moments of life.
Dann's music room served as his sanctuary to recharge. It was his refuge from stress and negativity. Filling the air with sounds from his many musical instruments filled him with the joy he spread to others. Laying down tracks of his original songs with his mandolin, ukulele, or banjo fed his positive energy and maintained the stockpile smiles his heart shared so freely with everyone who chose to be around him.
Danny accomplished much in his 68 years on this earth; far too many to fully list here. He had his favorites he took particular pride in, and loved to share with his family the stories and friends who were important players in the achievements he felt worthy of feeling proud of; Snohomish Panthers '69 football season 10 - 0 record his Senior year of high school; his 1976 Intramural Basketball Championship team, the Gay Caballeroes ('Happy Cowboys'), made up of Viking football players from Western Washington University; his graduation from WWU in 1976; building multiple successful businesses by his constant desire to make builders and customers happy with his final product and service; and most importantly to Danny was his pride in helping to raise his three children to be responsible adults who adored him to his core and the beautiful home he and Rachel built for their family. He truly felt blessed beyond his imagination allowed him to hope.
Danny is survived by his wife of 39 years, Rachel; Son Casey and his wife Tomiana; Daughter Chloe; Daughter Marielle Adamson and husband Brett; Mother Shirley Filbert of Mount Vernon, WA; Brother Jay DeBellis of Snohomish, WA; and herd of 5 dachshunds, including his best girl, Lucy. Dann was preceded in death by his father, Frank DeBellis, in 2007.
Danny felt rich with love from all of you, and would want us to include a heartfelt thank you for touching his life.
This extra-long obituary is due to the possibility of preventing a timely celebration of Danny's life hoping to take place at a later date. But then the length reflects the embodiment of this cherished man. Please visit
www.dignitymemorial.com to leave memories and condolences. July 6, 1952 - March 8, 2021
