Daniel Shark

Daniel Shark, age 65, of Montville, passed away suddenly on Tuesday, October 20, 2020.

Daniel was born in Paterson and raised in Little Falls and Wayne. He played basketball during his years at Wayne Hills High School and, after graduating with the Class of 1973, he continued his education at Waynesburg College in Waynesburg, PA, majoring in biology and earning his Bachelor’s Degree in 1977. After college, Dan launched right into a career as a sales representative with Standard Register and soon after became an independent contractor with FormTech Graphics in Warren, NJ. He enjoyed a long and rewarding career with FormTech and was presently anticipating retirement from the company he had worked for almost his entire career.

While working at Standard Register, Daniel had the good fortune of meeting a dear woman named Cabrina Potente who was employed as a part-time secretary. He quickly took a liking to Cabrina and desired to go with her on a date. Needing a way to get Cabrina’s attention, one day he hid her handbag in his office. As Cabrina was preparing to leave work for the day, he watched as she searched for the handbag and asked coworkers if they had seen it. Eventually, he approached her at her desk and asked, “Are you looking for this?” They ended up going out that very evening to a NJ Devils hockey game. They soon fell in love and, after a season of dating, the desire for marriage mutually increased. Dan’s first attempt at a formal marriage proposal came during an evening at his home in Basking Ridge. He prepared a delicious lamb chop dinner complete with the finest wine. He was about to propose when suddenly a friend of his arrived unannounced to share the exciting news of how he was going to propose marriage to his girlfriend the next day. Not wanting to steal his friend’s thunder, Dan postponed his own grand plans for the evening. Dan’s second attempt took place at Cabrina’s sister and brother-in-law’s home on the lake in Kinnelon. With the ring in his pocket, Dan invited Cabrina for a stroll around the lake. Cabrina thought this was a nice idea. Dan’s plan was working perfectly until Cabrina asked her mother if she would like to join them for the walk. That evening, again, the ring never left his pocket. The saying goes that “three’s a charm” and, in the case of his marriage proposal, it proved true. On another evening at Dan’s house, no one unexpectedly showed up and Dan was able to ask Cabrina to marry him. The wedding day came on Saturday, May 14, 1988 when Daniel and Cabrina exchanged their wedding vows before God, family and friends at Holy Resurrection Orthodox Church in Wayne with Father Paul Kucynda officiating. It was a beautiful spring day and the reception followed at Cabrina’s sister and brother-in-law’s house by the lake in Kinnelon. After a honeymoon in France and England, the newlyweds made Basking Ridge their first home as husband and wife. Soon after they moved to Montville where they have lived for the past thirty one years.

It seemed that Dan and Cabrina’s marriage was meant to be. As a teenager, Dan loved to spend summers down the Jersey shore in Belmar. His days consisted of fun in the sun and surf but also included manning the grill and the Hire’s Root Beer barrel at his Aunt Nat’s beachfront restaurant, Sidoroff’s, alongside his parents, siblings, and cousins.  Ironically, when Cabrina was in her early twenties, she and her girlfriends would stay in Belmar, and they would have breakfast at Dan’s aunt’s restaurant every weekend. Little did Dan and Cabrina know that, in that restaurant, their paths were almost literally crossing and they would someday meet and marry.

Dan and Cabrina’s favorite getaways included St. Croix in the U.S. Virgin Islands. Visiting two weeks out of every year, they felt like they were nearly residents and Dan actually would express a desire to permanently move there some day. They also loved sailing in the Tonga Islands in the South Pacific as well as in Greece and Corsica. They would charter a fifty five foot sailing vessel and sail themselves with friends who were certified sailing captains. Because Dan was a passionate wine collector with a beautiful wine cellar in his own basement, he was always commissioned to be the sommelier or wine steward on these sailing expeditions.  

In addition to his love of sailing and fine wines, Dan was a highly skilled pool player who could clear the table in record time… a talent honed in his college days. Friends would try to compete but never proved to be a match for Dan’s superior expertise of the game. Despite his intimidating ability, he and Cabrina enjoyed playing and Dan was always patient and helpful. Dan was also an avid fan of the New York Yankees and New York Giants. When it came to basketball, he preferred the college games and rooted especially for Duke University.

Dan was a lifelong member of Holy Resurrection Orthodox Church in Wayne. He served for many years on the Church Council and was always active in the continued development of the Church. He loved the liturgy and was always willing to serve the Lord by serving the church. He especially enjoyed assisting in the partaking of Holy Communion, and as a greeter of the congregation, his warmth and kindness was given to each person.

Daniel was a most outgoing person who always possessed a happy heart. He was a gentle and kind soul with a most generous spirit – never refusing a request for assistance and always helping to his maximum potential.

To his nieces and nephews, Uncle Dan was more than just an Uncle. He was also a best friend, a mentor, and opened up their eyes to the finer things in life.  From Broadway shows, to rock concerts, and visits to Morrell Wine Bar, he was always sure to give them unforgettable experiences; they were his “children on loan”. He always made sure they had the best seat in the house while drinking the finest wine in town. Large or small, Uncle Dan always made sure he was active in all life events for his nieces and nephews. He was never too busy for them, and he could never think of enough reasons to celebrate. He brightened their lives every time he walked into the room, always with a smile that exhibited his endless love for them.

Uncle Dan’s positive energy and great sense of humor made each family gathering a memorable one; and we always looked forward to spending time with him.  He was our “cool Uncle” and enriched our lives in new ways throughout the years as we grew from children into adults.  

Daniel was the beloved husband of Cabrina Potente, blessed in marriage for thirty two years. He was the loving son of Marion Shark of Jackson and the late Nicholas Shark (2008); dear brother of: Gregory and wife Tina Shark of Little Falls, Tamara and husband William Germann of Belle Mead, ..and Leonard and wife Brenda Shark of Lake Hopatcong; much-loved uncle of: Kathryn, Jaclyn and husband Michael, Zachary and wife Danielle, Anastasia, Lindsey, Dominick and wife Lauren, Michael; and dear brother-in-law of Carol and husband Bob Kerris of Mountain Lakes, and Dominick and wife Linda Potente of Myrtle Beach, SC.

Those planning an expression of sympathy in Daniel’s name are asked to consider a donation to Holy Resurrection Orthodox Church, Wayne, NJ.