A Man Named Dan
Dan with Steve Swanson and the Bemus Bay Pops Symphony Orchestra
"This is your gift. This belongs to all of you. I hope you enjoy it, you nuture it and it grows for all of us."
Dan Dalpra
Dan and Sue
Deanna, Danelle, Dan, Sue and Dana
The Dalpra Grandchildren
Dan discovered aviation at the young age of 16. He eventually took a $5 introductory lesson and was immediately, hooked! He received his private license when he turned 17. His plan was to become an airline pilot. At the age of 18 he had his commerical, multi-engine, instrument and flight instructor rating. At 19, he became the general manager of the flight school and charter service. When he turned 20 he was hired by Haines & Company, Inc. of North Canton, Ohio becoming their corporate pilot. When he reached the age of 22 Dan was promoted to Vice President of Marketing for their direct mail division called Americalist.
Dan met the love of his life, Sue Caskey in May of 1971. They were married in November of that year. Then out of the blue, having discovered Sue's hometown of Bemus Point NY, Dan decided to leave the world of aviation and move to Bemus Point. Together, they created the Italian Fisherman though in 1974 Dan decided to create Guppy's as a year-round restaurant. Eventually, they sold Guppy's and focused their sole attention on the Italian Fisherman.
In 1998, the Bemus Bay Pops was created after hosting a special CD release party for his talented friend, Steve Swanson. At that time, Dan got an idea to host a symphony orchestra on the roof of the Italian Fisherman! This lead to the birth of the phrase, Bringing the Arts to the People. Dan is amazed that all of his personal experience was actually preparing him for all of this. Dan truly thought he was going to be a full-time airline pilot, but he now realizes that someone of higher power had bigger plans for a man named Dan.
"There was alot of history in between all of those years. So much so, it could be a novel."
Dan Dalpra, Founder & CEO
Thank you, Dan.
Pat Locke
Maestro Muse
