From cain’t to cain’t, a day’s work with land, stone, wood, food or words was only part of the man. Grounded by family, love and creativity, he reveled in conversation, music, laughter, giving and adventure, with a respect for the cadence of nature. The sun has set for him though continues to rise for his family and friends. We who survive, be creative. Make shavings, get dirty, get greasy, get covered in flour. We’ll meet you in the kitchen for dinner. Daniel Ellwood Schlafer was born on June 3rd, 1950 in Sidney, NY. He left the world on Saturday September 12th, 2020 from Allentown, PA, following a six year battle with lymphoma. Dan grew up on the Schlafer family farm in Guilford, NY. He returned there after finishing degrees at SUNY Delhi and Cornell University. It was at Cornell that Dan met his future wife, Jean Walter. After retiring from dairy farming, Dan drove school bus for the Bainbridge-Guilford school district for 8 years. Dan and Jean moved to Waverly, NY in 2015 to be near family. There he combined his passions. He built gardens and crafted with wood, stone and food, generously passing creations to any visitor. He loved being part of his grandchildren’s adventures. Dan turned everything into a chance to learn or share his sense of humor and infectious laugh with others: at the farm giving tours to guests from around the world, through the valuable friendships he made, in the crafts he studied. He and Jean were able to travel the US and Europe visiting family and friends. Dan loved to soak in every new experience, from Mississippi steamers to German markets and Welsh castles. Dan was predeceased by his parents, Vida and Pershing Schlafer. Surviving alongside his wife Jean of 47 years are their three daughters and their families: Karen and Todd Williams with Oscar, Finn and Sophie of New York; Julie and Ramesh Sharma with Everett and Ari of Connecticut; and Lisa and Oliver Briscoe with Greta and Audrey of the United Kingdom. Dan is also survived by his two sisters, Nancy Call and Susan Smith. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Scholarship Fund in Memory of Daniel Schlafer at Community Bank, 41 East River Road, P.O. Box 39, Nichols, NY 13812-0039, 607-699-0039. A small family burial service will be held in Hillington Cemetery, Morris, NY. A celebration of life will be planned. His family has entrusted his care to the Johnston & Stanimer Funeral Home in Morris, NY. For online expressions of sympathy to his family, visit www.JohnstonFH.com. "Each time it rains or each sun bathed afternoon you reflect on… how this god given day is replenishing your soul and purpose for being". - Dan Schlafer