Daniel Wilson-Ross

In 1954, a Machiavellian 12 year old Grand Rapids Newsboy decided he was going to win the Grand Rapids Herald Newspaper Contest by selling the most newspaper subscriptions. The grand prize: a trip to Washington D.C.

Daniel Wilson-Rosochacki was born creative. Instead of beating the pavement to stir up new subscribers, he had his current customers cancel their subscriptions and promptly renew them. When he boarded the train, he had $7. However his father had taught him well, how to be a poker player. He got off the train with $50. On that same trip he was photographed by the Washington Post tossing a silver dollar across the Potomac.

Daniel was a jack of all trades and master of many. In his lifetime, he was a poet, a teacher, a world traveler and a cabinet maker. His passion for life was surpassed only by his love for his family.

Young Daniel was born on October 5, 1942. His mother Terese Rosochacki gave birth to him shortly before his father left for three years to serve in Europe during World War II. Upon his return, the family settled in Grand Rapids. His father laid linoleum for a living. His mother stayed home to take care of the kids until Daniel was old enough to do so. She then worked in a dentist’s office. Daniel’s siblings Jamie, John and Mary Lisa completed the family. One of the darkest days in his young life was the passing of his beloved sister, Mary Lisa.

Daniel went on to earn his Master’s Degree in English Literature. His love for life included a passion for music, whether he was playing the Japanese Flute or listening to an eclectic record collection. During his years in college, this creative young man was drawn to New York’s Greenwich Village. While there, he had the opportunity to spend a day with one of his favorite artists, Bob Dylan. The brightest point of these years however, was the birth of his son Nicholas to his first wife and lifetime friend, Penelope.

His life was one of unexpected moments. Even the way he met his wife Delores is unusual. She was supposed to meet with her cousin, who stood her up, but she met Daniel instead. They talked for four hours that day and eventually married and had three kids. The best days of his life were those that he saw the birth of his children.

Daniel spent his life writing poetry, working on a novel, owning folk art galleries and passionately loving his family. He traveled all over the world but found a second home in Oaxaca, Mexico. He traveled there many times out of a love for the people, art, food and the culture.

His family says that he always made an entrance. Even when he was in the hospital and his mother in-law had passed away, Daniel hopped in a cab, tucked his IV in his pocket and showed up at the funeral service. Or the time his wife almost missed a flight, Daniel convinced the entire crew to wait for 45 minutes on the tarmac because he convinced them that “she was transporting important government documents”.

Daniel Lee Wilson-Ross squeezed every once of joy out of life. He lived life to the fullest with humor, love and lots of originality.

Daniel Lee Wilson-Ross, 60, of Grand Rapids passed away unexpectedly on Tuesday September 16, 2003. He is survived by his wife Delores; his children Nicholas Keith (Cheryl) McClure, Yuri Daniel Wilson-Rosochacki and his fiancée, Jeniffer Miller, Maggie Claire Wilson-Ross, Jesse Thomas Wilson-Ross; his mother Terese Secord; his brother Jamie (Jan) Rosochacki, John Rosochacki; and his grandchildren, Mallory and Spencer. He leaves other nieces, nephews and many friends. Daniel was preceded in death by his sister Mary and his father Al. Cremation has taken place. The service to celebrate Daniel’s life will be held at Alt & Shawmut Hills Chapel, 2120 Lake Michigan Dr. NW on Saturday afternoon at 4:00 p.m. Relatives and friends may meet his family at the Funeral Home Saturday from 3:00 p.m. until the time of the service. In lieu of flowers, please consider contributions in his memory for his children’s college fund. To read Daniel's complete life story, share a memory, order flowers or make a memorial contribution, please visit his personal web page at www.lifestorynet.com

Like the young boy on the train ride to D.C., Daniel grew to be a shining example of the motto, “life is not the destination but the ride”. And, he had one heck of a ride.