Obituary of Manasseh Sion Daniel

Manasseh "Danny" Sion Daniel died peacefully, surrounded by his daughters, in his Las Vegas home on Tuesday, January 18, 2012. Born part of a tiny Jewish community in Singapore to Rose Kelly and Sion Daniel from Baghdad, Danny will be lovingly remembered as a generous and devoted husband, dad, uncle, grandad, neighbor and friend. After being liberated from the Japanese concentration camps (along with the other Jews on the island) at the end of WWII, Danny would embark on a life driven by independent spirit and adventure, traveling to Australia and Israel before finally immigrating to America in 1964. In 1967, he married his brother's widow, Molly (his longtime dear friend), adopting her two daughters, Rachael and Hilda. Deeply religious his entire life - both his father and one of his brothers, Charlie, served as rabbis in Singapore - Danny followed the traditions with which he was raised and attended synagogue regularly on Sabbath, even as he became physically debilitated by osteoarthritis later in life. Danny loved nature -- was reverent of and delighted by it. He was an avid reader, a backgammon champion and loved his music -- especially swing and early rock & roll, which would often have him tapping out a jitterbug to the beat. Always sympathetic and kind to friends and strangers alike, he gave regularly to charities, including the Jewish National Fund, Israeli Cultural Center, American veterans, Safe Nest and Guiding Eyes for the Blind. Although his primary school education was interrupted by the Japanese occupation concentration camps, writing became an important part of his communication with others. All those who knew him would likely have been touched by a disarmingly honest and moving note or letter from Danny. From humble beginnings, through hard work, discipline and an energetic faith, Danny provided a debt-free, comfortable and happy home for his family. In fact, it was work - keeping himself busy at home and his job with the good friends he came to love there - that provided cheer and solace in the face of great sadness at the loss of his darling Molly. In his humor, his beautiful old world politeness, quirky habits and even stubbornness, he was our beloved Danny; in his life of quiet courage, perseverance, constant compassion and faith while embracing the challenges of the perpetual new, Danny was a heroic embodiment of the American Dream and the great Jewish Diaspora. We will really miss him.