Dr. Daniel Harvey Gadra, 78, of Frederick, Maryland passed away at Frederick Memorial Hospital surrounded by his family on October 28, 2016, after a hard fought battle with Leukemia. Born April 28, 1938 in Buffalo, NY, he was the son of the late Mildred Margaret (Nagel) Gadra and Daniel John Gadra. He was the devoted husband of Sonia (Ramos) Gadra, to whom he was married for 52 years.
Dr. Gadra led a life of service and dedication to others and brightened every community that he was a part of. He was a simple and humble man whose greatest joy in life was his wife Sonia and his children and grandchildren to whom he was fiercely devoted.
He received his bachelor of education degree in June of 1959 from the University of Buffalo. After graduating with honors, he went on to join the faculty of Defiance College in Defiance, Ohio. In March of 1962 he was accepted into the Peace Corps to serve in Venezuela. He called this experience "quite an honor and quite a job where I can try to teach people how to live better." Recalling his time there he often said "Those kids had more of an impact on me than I did on them."
After leaving the Peace Corps he became a civilian contractor for the U.S. Army at their base at Fort Buchanan, Puerto Rico. On his flight from New York to Puerto Rico he introduced himself to a beautiful flight attendant named Sonia. Six months later they were married and remained so for 52 years. When the Gadras returned to the states, Dr. Gadra went on to earn his master of arts degree in physical education at the University of Maryland (1965) and his doctorate from George Washington University (1974). After holding a number of teaching and administrative positions in both the Prince George's County and Frederick County Public School systems, he became the Frederick County School Superintendent in 1993. As Superintendent he was widely recognized by his colleagues, friends and peers as a man of warmth, sincerity and integrity with a mission to achieve the best educational system for all students.
In addition to his wife, Sonia, he is survived by his daughter Lisa (John) Henschel of Potomac, Maryland, his son Dan Gadra (Felicia Wivchar) of Alexandria, Virginia, his grandchildren Caroline Henschel and Daniel Simmington "Simms" Henschel of Potomac, Maryland, his brother Gerald (Joanne) Gadra of Lancaster, New York, sister Marilyn (Bill) Lahti of Lakewood, Colorado, sister Judith Gadra Dobiesz of Buffalo, New York, sister Janet Gadra of Colden, New York and numerous nieces, nephews and other family members who loved and respected him greatly. He was predeceased by his beloved sister Marjorie Gadra Clement and his parents
Dr. Gadra's favorite quote was Winston Churchill's "Never, Never, Never give up." He fought with courage until the end and his eternal rest is well earned. Friends wishing to honor him and say goodbye are invited to join the family at Coffman Chapel, Hood College, Frederick, Maryland at 11 am on Saturday, November 5, 2016.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests that if you are so moved, a donation be made to either St. Jude's Children's Research Hospital in Memphis, Tennessee or the building fund of St. Katharine Drexel Catholic Church, Frederick, Maryland.
Arrangements have been entrusted to Myers-Durboraw Funeral Home of Emmitsburg, Maryland.