Dayl Patrick Willette

Our world has lost a great son, wonderful brother, beloved husband, and most of all, amazing father. Born a twin (surprise) on Jan. 8, 1954, in Saranac Lake, seventh child to Addie M. (LaFountain) and Paul A. Willette, Dayl of the Bloomingdale Willettes, passed peacefully with family by his side at his home in Plattsburgh.

Dayl Patrick was baptized on Feb. 28, 1954, at St. Paul’s Catholic Church, with godparents Sylvia and Edmund Bouyea. As a young boy, Dayl served as an altar boy in his parish. On Sept. 30, 1967, Dayl was confirmed by Bishop Donellan. His sponsor was Gary Fletcher. About 10 years later on Dec. 12, 1976, Dayl became confirmation sponsor for his brother Royl.

With his little twin sister (Kristyl), Dayl attended Bloomingdale Elementary School, St. Pius High School, Saranac Lake High School and then he graduated from North Country Community College with a Criminal Justice degree. Soon after, Dayl (affectionately called Bernie) and brother Poochie (Loweyl) attended New York State Correction Officer’s Academy together. Dayl retired from Clinton Correctional Facility after 25 years of service.

So many sentiments and brotherly memories to share. When a young boy, Dayl would try to protect his bicycle from his little brothers. He would religiously secure his bicycle by a padlock so his little brothers could not ride it. Erryl found the key and would ride the bike every day for half a summer. Erryl was so little, his feet could not reach the ground. He was trying to learn how to ride big brother’s bike. He would return the bike, secure it to the parking spot, and replace the key to its hiding place. Dayl knew the bike was not exactly placed as he had placed it. So, one day after half the summer had passed, he set a trap and caught Erryl, chasing and catching him on the bike in Mrs. Carey’s yard. Dayl told Erryl: “That is enough!”

Dayl and best neighborhood friends Chris R. and Paul A. would hunt for night crawlers, then would go fishing to local Curtis’s Pond where everyone knew there were no fish. After a while with no luck, the boys would go to Norman’s Pond and catch their trout limit.

Dayl and friend Dave G., while learning the ropes of their first job for the town of St. Armand, working on a hot summer day, they felt that it was too hot to work. After lunch they picked up their tennis rackets and in the town park started playing tennis. They loved the tennis game. Their boss eventually found them and asked, “Why are you not working?” To which they replied: “Too hot, boss.” The boss said: “Have a nice game, cause you are fired!” (Valuable lessons in how to negotiate future employment opportunities).

All summer long, Dayl and Dave G. would hold the Whiffle Ball World Series in the town park with the local spectators cheering them on.

On our hot Bloomingdale summer nights, Dayl and another friend Jim R. would pick up some of their favorite beverages and ride the roads of the Adirondacks in their hot rods, until the beverage was fully consumed or when they would get too low on gas before going home.

As a kid Dayl learned how to play hockey at Bloomingdale skating rink with his brothers and friends. He played on the local school teams and continued this through to his adulthood. Dayl loved his hockey game.

These are only a scant few memories of Dayl’s life growing up in his beloved Bloomingdale with many siblings and friends.

Then Dayl fell in love. On Feb. 19, 1994, Dayl married sweetheart Caroline Joseph. Then in 1995, they welcomed daughter Jamyla, then Sarah came, and then again another daughter Dayline, completing their beautiful family. If you asked Dayl, his greatest accomplishment wasn’t his “hockey,” or his career. It was being a father. He adored his daughters and they adored their daddy.

Dayl was preceded in death by his parents, and by three brothers, Royl, Gerryl and Kendyl.

He is survived by his wife Caroline, children Jamyla, Sarah, Dayline, as well as his mother-in-law Marguerite (Gramma), and sister-in-law Marjorie. Dayl is also survived by his other nine siblings: Darryl, Cheryl, Karyl, Micheyl, Randyl, Kristyl, Loweyl, Erryl, and Russyl; and by many nieces, nephews, countless extended family and found family members. All held him in the highest regard and loved him dearly.

Dayl’s tireless love and devotion to his family was evident to his final moments. We will always cherish his charming dimpled smile, his funny chuckle, and sweet kind eyes.

Funeral arrangements are in care of Heald Funeral Home, 48 Court St., Plattsburgh, NY. There will be no calling hours. Funeral services will take place at the convenience of the family at a later date. People wishing to honor Dayl’s lifelong commitment to family may make memorial donations to the Renal Dialysis Unit at Adirondack Health in Saranac Lake in care of the funeral home. Family and friends can also share their memories and sign the online guestbook at Heald Funeral Home.