Daniel Neil Nigro

Daniel Neil Nigro passed away peacefully at the age of 85 on June 29, 2021, in the presence of his three children.  Dan was born on December 14, 1935, in Buffalo, NY, to Daniel Anthony Nigro and Virginia Susan Pirratano. The eldest of four, he was a Boy Scout and active member of the YMCA. He attended Canisius College in Buffalo for two years and then enrolled in and graduated from the University of Detroit Mercy in Detroit, MI with a degree in Aeronautical Engineering. While at the University of Detroit he met his future wife, Sharon Ann Schives. They were married on April 18, 1964. He worked for Chrysler and then General Motors (Detroit Diesel Allison) while living in Detroit.  Dan later transferred to Allison Gas Turbine in Indianapolis, IN where he and Sharon and their young family settled in Carmel on July 1, 1971. Dan retired from GM / Allison in 1996 but continued to work part time doing contract work. He discovered a love for motorcycles and enrolled in the Indiana ABATE Motorcycle Safety Training Program not only earning his certification to ride, but eventually to also become an instructor. He enjoyed teaching motorcycle rider education courses for over 10 years and was fondly nicknamed "Deacon Dan" by his fellow instructors. He was a member of the Harley Davidson Owners Group and rode his Dyna Low Rider to monthly breakfast meetings around the city. He loved big band and bluegrass music and taught himself how to play the five-string banjo. Dan, Sharon, and their children loved to travel, and most particularly enjoyed road trips.  Some of their favorite destinations were Gatlinburg, TN, The Grand Ole Opry in Nashville, TN, Walt Disney World, Grand Canyon and Yellowstone National Parks, Gulf Shores, AL, and Cape May, NJ.  In their later years, Dan and Sharon traveled to visit their children and grandchildren, as well as frequent visits to Cape May, until the impact of health issues restricted their travel.  Dan and Sharon were active members of St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Parish, attending mass regularly for nearly 50 years.  Their faith was extremely important to them and was instrumental in their lives together.  Dan enjoyed working on and improving their home, through painting and other projects around the house.  He loved his family and was extremely proud of his children and grandchildren. Dan is predeceased by his wife and best friend of nearly 57 years Sharon, his two infant sons, his parents, and his brother Bart.  He is survived by his children; Julie Nigro (husband Darryl Wood), Daniel Nigro Jr. (Wife Randi Allen), Kathy Nigro; grandchildren Alyssa and Emily Nigro; sister Marie and brother Richard.   In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to The American Alzheimer's Association.