Dan (Daniel) Vornea

Dan (Dan ben Harry) Vornea was born in Bucharest, Romania, and spent the majority of his life in Plainview, NY, where he passed away peacefully on August 30, 2025.

Dan was the devoted partner of his beloved Camille, the love of his life, for whom he cared with endless love and energy. Together they shared a wonderful life filled with travel, adventure, and meticulously planned trips down to the very last detail. They also cherished hosting holidays and family gatherings, where Camille’s cooking and Dan’s grilling made sure no one ever left hungry—though even after the “white flag” was raised, more food always seemed to appear on your plate.

Weekends in the Vornea home began early, with a 7 a.m. ritual of packing up for Jones Beach. Dan’s perfectly made sandwiches and a trunk overflowing with beach gear were his signature. He also loved skiing in the Northeast and creating countless adventures with family and friends.

Dan is survived by his cherished family: Renee (Jan) Burman, Steven (Kirstie) Vornea, and Karen (Arthur) Colozzi. He was a proud and loving grandfather to AJ (Stacy), Luke (Lauren), Elias, Myles, David (Lauren), Remy, Jaime, Tai, Lola, Olivia, Nicholas, and the late Victoria (Will). He was also great-grandfather to Leah and Jaime, and was overjoyed to welcome a new great-granddaughter, Grace Katherine, born just days before his passing. He held a special love for his cousins Radu and David.

Professionally, Dan took great pride in his career as a civil engineer—first with the Port Authority and later with the Federal Aviation Administration—where his dedication and integrity defined his work. He often said that honesty was paramount and that he wanted to put his head on his pillow each night with no regrets. After retirement, he found great joy teaching at Vaughn College, which he often called his favorite job of all.

Dan will be remembered for his larger-than-life personality, sharp wit, and infectious laugh that could fill any room. He loved bringing people together to share his beloved Romanian mititei and his famous homemade pickles—offered persistently until you finally gave in.

Whether through his humor, his cooking, or his unmistakable presence, Dan left an indelible mark on everyone he met. His legacy lives on in the love he gave, the laughter he inspired, and the countless memories he created with those fortunate enough to know him.