Daniel B. Freeman

­­­Daniel Burt Freeman

June 22, 1944 – April 12, 2025

Daniel Burt Freeman passed away peacefully on April 12, 2025, at the age of 80 in Guelph, Ontario, Canada.

Born in the University of Michigan hospital in Ann Arbor on June 22, 1944, Dan spent most of his life in Canada, creating homes and memories in Hamilton, Mississauga, Georgetown, and Guelph. He held a special place in his heart for sunsets on Sauble Beach.

An engineer after graduating from Hamilton Institute of Technology (now Mohawk College) and a handyman by nature, Dan never met a problem he didn’t want to solve, and ultimately would.

Whether it was a leaky faucet, a broken-down car, he dove in with curiosity and a quiet confidence. He was the first call for family and friends whenever anything needed fixing, and often the only call anyone had to make. Dan began his career with Hoke Controls and then SPS (Sarnia Piping Specialists) and proceeded into launching and leading the Canadian division of Intertec Instrumentation.

Dan’s early love of muscle cars—highlighted by a short-lived affair with an MG—was only eclipsed by his lifelong passion for learning and building. He loved nothing more than understanding how things worked, especially if they had gears or wires. He had a special place in his heart for dachshunds, especially the rescues he and his wife Sue lovingly welcomed into their home over the years.

Pragmatic and loving in equal measure, Dan had a direct approach to life that was always underscored by his deep care for those around him. A natural skeptic, he questioned everything but was unwavering in his loyalty to family and the things he held true, including his faith.

He is deeply missed by his wife and partner of many years, Sue Freeman (Barker), and his children: Mark Freeman (Sterling Graham), Geoffrey Freeman (Ashley Day), and Niki MacIntyre (Adam MacIntyre). He leaves behind seven grandchildren who adored him: Lucie, Maggie, Sage, Tate, Tucker, Liam and Kane. Dan is also survived by his brothers and their wives: Dick and Shari Freeman (Atlanta, Ga), Tom and Moira Freeman (London, ON), and Jon and Vicky Freeman (South Bend, In). The de Souza Family deeply mourns the loss as well as many beloved nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents, George and Catherine (Haines) Freeman, his daughter-in-law Andria Carmen Sanchez Freeman, and his granddaughter Sophia Schettler Freeman.

A drop-in memorial will be held at the WALL-CUSTANCE FUNERAL HOME & CHAPEL, 206 Norfolk St., Guelph, on Thursday, April 24 from 5:00 – 7:00 p.m.

Arrangements entrusted to the WALL-CUSTANCE FUNERAL HOME & CHAPEL 519-822-0051 / www.wallcustance.com.

Ashes will be interred in both the United States and Canada with family.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Hospice Wellington, whose care and compassion brought comfort in Dan’s final days.

A special thank you to the staff at Hospice Wellington, who are truly a gift to our community.

We know Dad is up there with Neco Waffers, Candy Corn, dogs by his side, cracking dad jokes while opening a fortune cookie…. We love you.

A tree will be planted in memory of Daniel B. Freeman in the Wall-Custance Memorial Forest.