James "Dan" D. Musselwhite

Colonie - James Dan Musselwhite, was born and raised in Tampa, Florida. Dan attempted to join the military during the Vietnam War, but his genetic hearing loss kept him out of uniform. He started working as a surveyor in Florida, mainly mapping out areas in the swamps carrying a machete. Through a friend, he heard of job opportunities in New York and Dan decided to take a leap of faith and journeyed to Schroon Lake in the 60’s. There he found employment working on building 87 North from North Hudson to Elizabethtown. He fell in love with the Adirondack Mountains and decided to make the Capital District area his home. 

Dan made lifelong friends in many walks of life, from his days in the North Country, to his friends in the Hilltown’s around Albany, to Classic Car and Corvette friends. He never met a person he did not remember and kept in touch with all, no matter where life took him. He enjoyed shooting pool, threw darts and axes, played decent golf when he took the time to play, loved flying his stunt kites on beaches, his drone wherever the FAA allowed, and especially enjoyed driving one of his Corvettes. He was very active in Vettes In Perfection, a member of the Syracuse Corvette Club, the Eastern Ontario Corvette Club in Canada as well as Tri City Muscle. He was a proud Lifetime Member of the National Corvette Museum and traveled to Bowling Green to attend The Bash and on National Corvette Caravans. He and Catherine were honored to be asked to help plan and execute the 2014 and 2019 New England National Caravans to Bowling Green. 

Through his many positions in the bridge construction industry, the last being Cianbro (Pittsfield, ME), he helped mentor quite a few youngsters both professionally and in life skills. On many Corvette Cruises, if we went over a bridge in New England, Dan had a part in building it. As his hearing ability lessened, Facebook opened a world of friends for Dan all over the globe. He so enjoyed traveling to meet many of them in person. He especially enjoyed hosting the Witcombs when they traveled ‘across the pond’ to attend Corvette events.

Dan leaves behind his wife of 29 years, Catherine, his daughter Jaime and grandson Damon of Utica, and his sister, Mary, of Rockville, Illinois. He found great love and support from his in-laws, Michael and Patricia Boggs, Laura and Jason Gagnon and children, and Megan and Patrick O’Connor. He was thrilled to meet his nephew, Scott McLeod, just a few years ago when Scott reached out and traveled to meet Dan and Cathy when they were traveling near where he lived.

Neuroendocrine cancer took away Dan’s ability to donate his organs and tissue. He chose to be cremated. The hole that his death made in many lives can never be filled. You can honor him by being a good citizen of the world. If you wish to make a monetary contribution in his honor, please do so to a local charity dear to your heart. Catherine would like to thank all the staff of Community Hospice for their dedication to families such as theirs. Especially his buddy, Nurse Gayle with a Y!

Dan’s friends, Mike Newhouse and Andy LaPorta will honor Dan by carrying a flag in his honor (Flags 4 Fallen) on Sunday, May 25th in Miles on the Mohawk. It kicks off at 8:30 am at Mabee Farm in Rotterdam Junction and finishes at the Mohawk Harbor. Cathy invites you to join her at the start and finish.

Visitation will be held on Friday, March 28, 2025 from 4pm to 7 pm at Cannon Funeral Home, 2020 Central Ave., Colonie. To leave a message of condolence visit www.cannonfuneral.com.