Daniel Craig Van Leuven, 65 of Poughkeepsie, passed away on Saturday, January 6, 2018. Born in Sharon, CT. on July 23, 1952, he was the son of Irving Francis and Doris Marie (Knapp) Van Leuven, who preceded him in death.

He is survived by his sister, Joy (Van Leuven) Huggard-Ortega and husband Pedro, West Palm Beach Florida; uncle, Jerry Knapp and wife Carol; aunt, Judy Knapp (Bud); nephews, Michael Odell and wife Chris, Robert Odell; great niece Shannon, great-nephew Brendan; as well as nephews, Richard, Gerry, and John; a niece, Dawn Marie; several cousins; and God-daughter, Forrest Leah Tompkins, Nikomis, FL. Daniel was preceded in death by his maternal grandparents, Frederick and Florence (Paasch) Knapp, and paternal grandparents, Walter C. and Alpha Omega (Hicks) Van Leuven; sibling, Wesley Frederick O'dell (Ted); uncles, Walter E. Van Leuven, Ernest W. Van Leuven, Frederick (Bud) Knapp, Elmer Knapp, Leonard (Ben) Knapp; aunts, Joyce Knapp, Barbara Knapp; cousins, Stephen Van Leuven, Doris (Dorie)Knapp, Wayne Knapp, Karl Knapp, Edward Knapp.

Mr. Van Leuven was born in Sharon, CT and lived in Dover Plains during his early childhood, attending Millbrook Central Schools. At age 10, he moved to LaGrangeville area, where he attended Arlington Central School District, graduating in 1970. He later attended Dutchess Community College, where he graduated in 1996 with an AAS Degree, Mental Health Assistant as well as achieving a Certificate in Chemical Dependency Counseling. Daniel held a variety of jobs over the last 45 years, including being self employed for several years as Dan V Services, where he built a large clientele in and around the Poughkeepsie area. He had a passion and a talent for working with wood, and spent years performing restoration work on many homes, bringing them back to their glory days. Most recently he worked as a Vocational Specialist at The Living Room Program of Mental Health America, Dutchess County, from 2009 until his retirement in December 2017.

Aside from his love for woodworking, two of his passions were fishing and Yankee baseball. He was a die-hard Yankee fan, even as far back as his Little League days, playing in the LaGrangeville ball fields, across from Chan Anthony's store. He enjoyed travelling when he could, and especially loved the warm weather and beaches when visiting his sister in Florida. He joined his sister on family trips to San Antonio and Atlanta in recent years. For the last several years, Daniel and his sister scheduled a long-weekend road trip each year, exploring the New England area, but with a much greater appreciation than during family vacations through those same areas as children.   Daniel leaves a long list of family and friends to cherish his memory. He made many long-standing relationships on his journeys through life, one day at a time, where he learned to fly on the wings of faith. His positive contributions in the lives of so many will be remembered for years to come, as will his caring nature and quirky outlooks of the world, and on life in general.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests making a contribution in Daniel's name, to a local charity in support of recovery from alcohol or drug addiction, or to assist the homeless population with daily needs, or assist the elderly, if only by paying it forward, one day at a time. A memorial service will be held at a later date. Arrangements have been entrusted to Allen Funeral Home, Pleasant Valley.