Daniel E. Willett

West Springfield - Daniel E. Willett, 75, a longtime resident of W. Spfld and recent resident of Palmetto, FL , passed away Sunday at Baystate Medical Center. He was born in Winsted, CT to the late Alice Morency and Eugene Willett. Daniel was a graduate of Springfield Trade High School where he excelled in football and hockey as a three time all Western Massachusetts selection, as well as an inaugural inductee to the Springfield Public High School Sports Hall of Fame. He was a proud Vietnam veteran of the US Navy, where he served as a fire control technician aboard the USS Nautilus, the first nuclear submarine. Daniel was a mechanical engineer for Kollmorgen, and Hardigg Industries in Deerfield for many years. While residing in Florida, Daniel was an avid shuffleboard player, competing and winning many tournaments. He was a lifelong New England sports fan, always cheering on the Red Sox, Bruins and Patriots, but never basketball, he hated it. Daniel leaves his loving children, Derek Willett and his wife Barbara of Easthampton, Kristin Lanigan and her husband Michael of Barrington, NH and Jennifer Bell and her husband, Korey of South Hadley, his grandchildren, Braelyn and Landon Willett, Brynlee Lanigan and Bria Bell, his caring sisters, Louise Wright and her husband Thomas of Longmeadow and Lorraine McCormick of Newmarket, NH, several nieces and nephews, as well as his friend and former wife, Amy (Serra) Willett. Daniel was predeceased by his brother, Roland Willett. Family and friends are invited to meet for a Liturgy of Christian Burial, Friday at 10:30AM at St. Michael's Church, 128 Maple Street, E. Longmeadow, followed by burial in St. Thomas Cemetery. Calling hours will be Thursday from 4-7PM at the TOOMEY-O'BRIEN FUNERAL HOME, 1043 Westfield St. W. Spfld. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the Holyoke Soldiers Home, 110 Cherry St., Holyoke, MA 01040. For more details, please visit toomeyobrien.com.