Daniel Michael Kondas

Daniel Kondas was born on 27 January 1929 in Renton, Pa. He grew up in New Kensington, Pa with his mother Anne Bencurik, his sisters Mary Gravett and Zita Miller and his brothers Steven, Joseph and John. Near the end of World War II he joined the Navy as a radioman for 3 years. When the Korean Conflict started he joined the newly formed Air Force as an aerial camera repairman. After serving in both the Korean and Vietnam Conflicts, he finished his 23-year career as a Master Sargent and an instructor at Lowry Air Force Base in Aurora, Co. After his military service he decided to stay in Aurora where he worked as a letter carrier with the US postal service for an additional 17 years. He retired with a total of 40 years of federal service in 1990. He retired to Windsor Gardens in Denver where he enjoyed playing golf and gambling at Black Hawk and Central City. He was a very skilled amateur golfer and won many golf tournaments even later into his life. He kept active during his retirement by volunteering as a guide at the new Denver International Airport and working part time for the Black Hawk shuttle service. He enjoyed reading westerns and collecting coins. He passed away in his sleep on 10 January 2015, 17 days before his 86th birthday. He is survived by Fanchon (Kondas) Winkler the mother of his three childen Kim Suniga, Renee Ross and Joel Kondas, his grandchildren: Javier Suniga, Bryan, Michael and Danielle Ross, Zachary, Marissa, Nicholas and Kyra Kondas. Javier and Vicy Suniga blessed him with four great grandchildren Jade, Thomas, Joseph and Ivy, Bryan and Tara blessed him with two great grandchildren Bryelle and Maddox with another on the way in August 2015. Danielle blessed him with one great granddaughter Cecilia. He was a stern man but he instilled in all of us a sense of duty and responsibility that we will pass on to generations to come. Five of his dependents have already followed him in his footsteps and are serving or have served in the military, Major Joel Kondas, SPC Zachary Kondas, PFC Nicholas Kondas, PFC Thomas Suniga (Army) and Petty Officer Michael Ross (Navy). There will be an interment with full military honors on 2 February 2015, 2:00 pm at Ft Logan National Cemetery, 3690 S. Sheridan Blvd Denver, CO 80235.