Daniel Peter Antonietti, 89, was welcomed into the hands of the Lord surrounded by his loving family on January 5, 2017.
Born in Butte, Montana to Ludovina and Joseph Antonietti on November 25, 1927, Dan was proud of his Butte, America heritage where he always used to say, “It’s a mile high, a mile deep and all the people are on the level.”
Graduated from Butte High School in 1945, Dan promptly joined the Navy but was honorably discharged after being severely injured in an auto accident. Determined to serve his country, Dan later enlisted in the U.S. Army in 1946 and served in the post-war occupation of Japan. He was proud to be a WWII veteran and part of the Greatest Generation.
He married Catherine Ann (Kay) Parker in 1954. Together they had eight children and enjoyed 62 years of marriage.
Dan followed in his brother Joe’s footsteps and was an outstanding boxer, being inducted into the Butte Sports Hall of Fame in 2009. He was an avid New York Yankees fan and loved to coach boxing and Little League baseball. He was the number one fan of his children’s and grandchildren’s every activity.
Dan began his career as a plumber in Butte and Missoula where he also taught in the apprenticeship program. In 1963, he joined the U.S. Department of Labor where he served as the Director for the Bureau of Apprenticeship and Training in both Butte and Billings. His deep interest in championing Veterans’ issues brought him to Helena in 1980 after being named Montana’s Director of Veterans Employment and Training, where he devoted the remaining years of his life to serving Veterans.
Dan was a member of the United Association Union of Plumbers and Pipefitters for 67 years and a member of VFW Post 1448 in Butte. He was elected Commander of the Montana VFW in 1991 and later served as its Legislative Chairman. He spent the last 20 years supporting legislation for Veterans and their families and testifying on their behalf at both the National and State levels.
In recognition of his efforts helping members of the Blackfeet Reservation gain employment, tribal elders adopted Dan into the Blackfeet Nation and made him an honorary Chief, bestowing on him the name Morning Owl.
Dan was preceded in death by his mother and father, his brother Joseph, and sisters Faustina and Catherine. Survivors include his wife Kay; his children Dan (Joan) Antonietti of Spokane, WA; Karen (Rich) Buley of Missoula, MT; Laurie (Mike) Hitchcock of Butte, MT; Debbie Alke (Dan Norhton), Don (Meredith) Antonietti, and Lynn (Lance) Zanto of Helena, MT; Pat (Susan) Antonietti of Potomac, MD; and Julie (Jess) McGuiness of Manhattan, MT.
Dan is also survived by his grandchildren Stephanie, Lilly, Eric, Colin, Brett (Chelsea), Ryan, Danielle (Nick), Nicole (Cody), Shae, Leigh, Annie, Clara, Kammie, Caroline, Andrew, Katelyn, and Alayna; five great grandchildren and numerous nieces and nephews who were very dear to him.
Dan had many great friends throughout his life, many of whom have passed before him. He leaves behind his very best friend, Bobby Pavlovich of Butte. Dan also adored his caregiver Maria Ireland. His family is very thankful that she was part of his life for the past three years and also for his wonderful neighbors. Dan will be remembered as a man of kindness and compassion and a champion of the underdog.
Viewing will begin at 12:00 p.m. with the family receiving friends from 4:30 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. and a vigil will take place at 6:00 p.m. on Monday, January 9th at Anderson Stevenson Wilke Funeral Home. A Funeral Mass will be celebrated at 12:00 p.m. on Tuesday, January 10th at the Cathedral of St. Helena, 530 N. Ewing. A graveside service with military honors will follow the Mass at the Montana State Veterans Cemetery at Fort Harrison. A reception will follow the graveside service at Jorgenson’s Restaurant, 1720 11th Ave in Helena. In lieu of flowers, memorials in Dan’s name are suggested to the Cathedral of St. Helena, 530 N. Ewing Street, Helena, MT 59601 or to the Helena Food Share, PO Box 943, Helena, MT 59624. Please visit www.aswfuneralhome.com to offer a condolence to the family or to share a memory of Dan.
In typical Dan fashion: “Be bright, be brief, and be gone!” We love you Dad!
Service Schedule
Viewing
12:00 p.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Monday January 9, 2017
Anderson Stevenson Wilke Funeral Home
3750 N. Montana Ave
Helena, Montana 59602
Family Receiving Friends
4:30 p.m. to 6:00 p.m.
Anderson Stevenson Wilke Funeral Home
3750 N. Montana Ave
Helena, Montana 59602
Rosary
6:00 p.m.
Monday January 9, 2017
Anderson Stevenson Wilke Funeral Home
3750 N. Montana Ave
Helena, Montana 59602
Funeral Mass
12:00 p.m.
Tuesday January 10, 2017
Cathedral of Saint Helena
530 N. Ewing Street
Helena, Montana 59602
Graveside Service
Following the Mass
Tuesday January 10, 2017
Montana State Veterans Cemetery
Hero's Road
Fort Harrison, Montana 59636
Service Schedule
Viewing
12:00 p.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Monday January 9, 2017
Anderson Stevenson Wilke Funeral Home
3750 N. Montana Ave
Helena, Montana 59602
Family Receiving Friends
4:30 p.m. to 6:00 p.m.
Anderson Stevenson Wilke Funeral Home
3750 N. Montana Ave
Helena, Montana 59602
Rosary
6:00 p.m.
Monday January 9, 2017
Anderson Stevenson Wilke Funeral Home
3750 N. Montana Ave
Helena, Montana 59602
Funeral Mass
12:00 p.m.
Tuesday January 10, 2017
Cathedral of Saint Helena
530 N. Ewing Street
Helena, Montana 59602
Graveside Service
Following the Mass
Tuesday January 10, 2017
Montana State Veterans Cemetery
Hero's Road
Fort Harrison, Montana 59636
Share
Carol buerman says
Dear Kay and family… Please accept our sincere sympathies to all the family. Having read the news of Dan’s passing, I am saddened for all of you to have to say goodbye to your lifelong companion, friend and father. I pray all good memories will find their way into your coming stories and remembrances. Carol Buerman and Carlin Mercer
Jan (Sassano) Funston says
Kay
I’m so sorry to hear about Dan’s passing. My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family.
Bev Reiner says
Kay,
Thinking of you today! A time for everyone to reflect on the cherished memories made from your long and loving life together. As you gather together to celebrate his life and what a difference he made to each and everyone – please know my prayers and warm thoughts are with all of you. Blessings!
Mike Thatcher says
A quiet word to express my heartfelt condolences.Dan was a fabulous husband,Dad,Grandpa,friend and just an all around good guy!!Godspeed on your journey Dan.The Antoniette family is in my Thoughts and Prayers
Patrick Daly says
Dear Kay and the Antonietti family, on behalf of the Daly family we want to express our deepest condolences and prayers for all of you. However, our sadness is replaced with the thought that Big Dan was the patriarch of an awesome family. His passion for his family was an inspiration to us all. His love of country was so strong that his son Patrick went on to West Point and a stellar career in the U.S. Army and then at the Pentagon. God Bless you all.
Christina Filipescu says
Dear Kay,
I was very sorry and saddened to hear of Dan’s passing. Please accept my sincere sympathies. I’m glad that his children were all able to be with him during his last days. Annie and Clara will miss him greatly.
Mary Runkel says
Dear Kay,
My thoughts and prayers are with you, and your family at this time. What a special relationship you have had through the years. May all the good memories give you comfort now.
Patti Nield says
I am so sorry to hear about Dan’s passing. Prayers for your family.
Linda & Birt says
Dear Aunty Kay & Family, a wonderful man has left this earth, but we know there is a party in Heaven welcoming Uncle Dan! We share in your sadness and pray for comforting memories to replace the pain in your hearts. So glad all the kids made it back to give him a loving sendoff. Hugs to all!
Shirley Barrow says
Dear Kay and loving family,
You are in my thoughts and prayers. May all of the wonderful memories you hold dear, bring much comfort, now and in the days to come. Dan was loved by everyone, and will be greatly missed. May you find great strength and comfort in our loving Father. God Bless!
Chuck Johnson says
I got to know Dan through his work with my late friend and neighbor Jack Mahan. He was a fighter and champion for veterans in Montana and for organized labor. He worked long and hard for Southwestern Montana Veterans Home proposed for Butte. RIP, Danny, you did a lot of heavy lifting for veterans, and Montana is a better place because of you.
Don Neary says
Dear Kay, Dan and family,
My deepest condolences to the family. Dan was an excellent example of what a husband, father and a man should be. A class act, he will be missed.
God Bless,
Don Neary
Dallas Peterson says
Don, you are in our thoughts and prayers!
Rick and Jan O'Connell says
Kay and family. So sorry to hear of Dans passing. He was truly one of a kind and you guys raised a great bunch of kids.
Rick and Jan
Shirley Chesterfield-Stanton says
Dear Kay and Antonietti family
Our thoughts and prayers are with all of you. Your family is very special so hold on to one another during this hard time
Love and God Bless
Shirley Chesterfield-Stanton
Elaine Chesterfield
Richard Hyland says
Kay and Family,
I boxed for the Elks in Butte and Danny was one of our coaches. I fondly remember him. He was a Great Guy!
My deepest sympathy for your loss.
God Bless,
Richard Hyland
Sam Jankovich says
My condolences to the entire Antoinette family What a wonderful person gave so much to se many and was a gentleman at all times. I will always remember when I was a student at the University of Montana We shared many good trimes. We coached a little league team together and had a wonderful time. I always felt bless I knew
Danny and considered him as a friend. God Bless Danny and his wonderful family may he rest in peace May hks memory be eternal.
Brendan Hogan says
Many, many wonderful memories are flooding back at this sad news. Visiting the Antonietti’s during the summers, first in Butte, and then in Helena , were some of the great experiences of my childhood. I always looked so forward to the visit each summer and Dan was always so great to us Hogan kids. My deep sympathies to Kay, Julie, Lynn, Debbie, Karen, Laurie, Pat, Don, Dan and the extended family during this time. Peace.
Mike Pochervina says
My deepest sympathy to Kay and her family with the passing of Dan. So many great memories from when I was young. I know my dad welcomed him on his arrival in Heaven. Sending love and prayers.
Jan and Bob Vogel says
Debbie and Lynn, please accept our heartfelt sympathy in the loss of your dad.
Robyn Driscoll says
I am so, so sorry to hear of Dan’s passing. I met him when he was testifying before the legislature and one of my proudest moments was when he presented me with a “Veteran’s Champion” award. I still have it hanging on my wall. I think of Dan often with lots of love and respect, and pass that love on to you all. Godspeed.
Walter Earle says
Condolences and deepest sympathy to the Antonietti family from colleagues and work mates of Pat Antonietti.
Paul Maloy says
Danny was a dear family friend to our Uncle Snudge Sullivan and our mother Memie’s family, the Hacketts. We’d heard of numerous outings Danny shared in during the 1930’s and 1940’s in Butte. May he rest in peace and may his wonderful family be comforted when they reflect on a life selfishly lived.
Kathy Brayko, Patty Beeson & Paul Maloy
Paul Maloy says
Sorry, I meant ‘selflessly’ lived.
Jim & Julie Winston says
Kay and family you are in our thoughts and prayers. Dan was a wonderful husband, father and friend to many.
Jim and Julie Winston and family
Pamela (Dougherty) Reese says
Kayand Family; The Dougherty family are saddened to here about Dan’s Passing . Kay you and Dan were very good friends of my Mom and Dad along with the Molends we will continue to pray for your Family. God bless your family Love Pamrla Dougherty-Reese.
Joe Fletcher says
Kay and Children,
Petra and I both are very sad to learn of Dan’s passing. I will always remember him for his great love for our nation’s heroes and their families. No one in my lifetime has ever cared as much as Dan did and worked so hard to ensure our veterans received what they deserved. Kay, you and children have suffered a tremendous loss and my heart breaks for you. Our nation has lost a great champion for our nation’s veterans, many of whom, gave ultimate sacrifice. God Bless You , Joe & Petra Fletcher
Gino Dunfee says
So sorry for your loss.
Sincerely,
Gino Dunfee
Mark Swayne says
I never had the pleasure to meet Daniel Antonietti, but I have had the great pleasure to work with his son Patrick in the Pentagon in the Office of the Secretary of Defense for Policy. Pat tells me that he is an average Antonietti, raised by great and loving parents who made their family a priority. With that information I can say that the United States is blessed to have so many wonderful Americans on our team, because Pat is outstanding in every way. God bless the Antonietti family and we hope that you each keep Daniel’s spirit and inspiration with you throughout your lives. Sincerely, Mark Swayne and the Stability and Humanitarian Affairs Team in the Pentagon
Mary Kay Bennett says
My dear Kay:
I was always touched by the way you spoke about your husband.. such love & admiration. ❤️
While I didn’t get to know him personally he has to have been one special person to have earned such praise and recognition from all who knew him.
In the silence of my heart, I will pray for you & the family.
Betty Franklin says
Kay,
I was broken-hearted to read of Dan’s passing. Please know that my thoughts and prayers are with you. I am so sorry I was unable to attend the funeral, but I found out too late to get off work for the service. I will be donating to food share on Dan’s behalf. 🙂 I so enjoyed my visits with you and Dan trying to get him VA benefits. You both were always so kind when I visited your home. Please know that if you ever need anything to contact me, I would be happy to assist you in any way I can. I am so sorry I was unable to
Betty Franklin says
Kay,
I was broken-hearted to read of Dan’s passing. Please know that my thoughts and prayers are with you. I am so sorry I was unable to attend the funeral, but I found out too late to get off work for the service. I will be donating to food share on Dan’s behalf. 🙂 I so enjoyed my visits with you and Dan trying to get him VA benefits. You both were always so kind when I visited your home. Please know that if you ever need anything to contact me, I would be happy to assist you in any way I can.
Kay Antonietti & Family says
Thank’s for all the support and touching words from everyone. We are blessed to have so many wonderful friends and family. Dan would be so honored by his incredible send off. Much appreciation to all of you and God Bless!