Daniel Edward Zaffran

Daniel (Dan) E. Zaffran, age 91, passed away peacefully in his sleep on the morning of 4/13/15. Dan was born 8/26/23 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. In 1958 he moved his family to Orlando and began his career as a school bus dealer. Friends advised him to get involved in the local community and he took that charge with a vengeance. In 1965 he was asked to begin transporting kids for local private schools and 50 years later it is a business that continues to this day. In 1967 Dan helped coach the Bishop Moore High School baseball team to the first state championship of any sport in Orlando. He was on the athletic board of UCF and was instrumental in bringing football to the University. He was a founding member of the Citrus Sports Association that sponsored the Tangerine Bowl, later known as the Citrus Bowl. A lifelong devotee to the game of golf, Dan helped establish the Rio Pinar PGA event, Florida Citrus Open, later the Bay Hill Classic. Dan continued to play the game he loved well into his 80's. Dan served as a board member and chairman of the Tri-County Transit Authority, currently known as Lynx and a board member of the Orlando Chamber of Commerce. The list of sport celebrity athletes that called Dan "Friend" was long. He was a man of character, integrity and toughness and these men and many others knew it when they met him. Dan was motivated most by friendship. As in the words of Cicero, "What sweetness is left in life if you take away friendship?" "Robbing life of friendship is like robbing the world of the sun." Countless single golfers on Central Florida courses would come to know Dan's friendship as they would be welcomed to be a part of Dan's golfing group. Dan could be found at local dining establishments, enjoying the companionship of the bartender, a friend and strangers, sharing stories and serenading the group with one of his Sinatra favorites. Rest in peace Dan/Dad. Dan was survived by his companion of the last 37 years, Adele, son Ted, Daughter Janet (Glen), son Chris (Debbie), grandchildren Anne, Kate (Dave), Kyle, Dan and great grandchildren, Lincoln and Gracen. A Mass will be held 2:00 pm Thursday, April 23th at St. Charles Borromeo Catholic Church 4001 Edgewater Dr, Orlando, FL 32804. A reception will follow at the DubsDread Golf Course Country Club 549 W Par St, Orlando, FL 32804.

Daniel Edward Zaffran

August 26, 1923 - April 13, 2015