He was born March 7, 1927 in the Town of Newstead, NY, a son of the late Alton and Amy Franz Darling.
Denis was a graduate of Parker High School. He entered into the U.S. Army in 1952 and fought in the Korean War from 1952-1954. He attained the rank of Sergeant and was awarded a Bronze Service Star. He worked as a general contractor building homes in the Clarence area. He then bought a farm in Stafford, NY, helping raise 5 children with his beautiful wife Phyllis. An accomplished wood craftsman, his favorite thing to do was to make wooden items that challenged him, such as fiddles, tables, lamps and decorative lathe vases. Growing things were his forte, whether it be the grain crops in the fields or the multitude of raspberries, blackberries, strawberries, cherries or sunflowers.
Survivors include his wife of 55 years, Phyllis Bedford Darling. Sons, Abe (Jennifer) Darling of Laurens, SC, Alan (Chandler) Darling of Greenwood, SC and Andrew Darling. Daughters, Laura (Stephen ) Curry of Byron and MollyAnn Darling – Krajcer of West Seneca, NY. Grandchildren, Austin, Blaine and Jami Reese Darling of Laurens, SC, Benjamin Darling of Columbia, SC, Daniel Darling of Colorado Springs, CO, Luke Darling of Greenwood, SC, Megan Curry of Elba, NY, Kayla Curry of Byron, NY, Nigel and Jacob Krajcer of West Seneca, NY. Also survived by one great-grandchild, Cayden Nash of Elba, NY and several nieces and nephews.
Family and friends are cordially invited to share thoughts, condolences and fond memories on Saturday (April 15th) from 10am-1pm at the J. LEONARD MCANDREW FUNERAL HOME, LLC, 2 BOGUE AVE., BATAVIA, NY, where a funeral service will commence at 1pm. Interment will be in Clarence Fillmore Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions in memory of Denis may be made to your local SPCA, animal shelter or a charity of the donors preference. Expressions of condolence may be shared with the family at: www.mcandrewfuneralhomes.net.
ARRANGEMETNS WERE ENTRUSTED TO THE J. LEONARD MCANDREW FUNERAL HOME, LLC, 2 BOGUE AVE., BATAVIA, NY 14020. RONALD KONIECZNY II, DIRECTOR.
