Daniel Joseph Peters

Daniel Joseph Peters, age 60, passed away on October 27, 2014, surrounded by his loving wife and two sons. He was born in Cleveland, Ohio on July 16, 1954, to Roland and Marie (O'Leary) Peters. He was a 1972 graduate of Canton Central Catholic High School, a 1976 graduate of Kent State University, and received his Masters of Education from Delta State University in 1980. He married Nancy K. Kavulich on May 9, 1980, and they shared 34 years until his passing. Dan's passion and profession was teaching and coaching basketball. His collegiate coaching career began at Walsh University followed by stops at Western Carolina University, St. Joseph's University (IN), Youngstown State University, University of Cincinnati, The Ohio State University and the University of Akron. Dan was honored with many coaching awards throughout his career. In March 2014, the U.S. Basketball Writers Association honored Dan with the "Most Courageous Award" for providing inspiration and demonstrating extraordinary courage in the face of adversity for recognition of his tenacious fight in battling his pancreatic cancer. When Dan was away from the basketball court, he enjoyed boat rides, spending time with his sons, walking Griffin, the family dog, and loving life. He will forever be remembered as a devoted and loving husband, father, son, brother, friend, coach, and teacher. He leaves to cherish his memory his wife Nancy; his sons Daniel Joseph Peters, Jr. and Michael Louis Peters; his parents Roland and Marie Peters; his brother Thomas (Lucinda) Peters; his sisters Laura (David) Dureska, Joanne (Chuck) Zahler, Margaret Peters and Lisa (Joseph) Becherer, as well as a large in-law family, nieces, and nephews. The family will receive friends from 4:00 to 8:00 P.M. on Friday, October 31, 2014, at the Paquelet Funeral Home, 1100 Wales Road NE, Massillon, OH 44646. A funeral mass will be held at Queen of Heaven Catholic Church, 1800 Steese Road, Uniontown, OH 44685 on Saturday, November 1, 2014, at 10:30 A.M. Father Dave Durkee of Queen of Heaven and Father Ed Noga of St. Patrick's Catholic Church of Youngstown will be officiating.