Daniel Victor Kaloski, 82, of Grant, Florida, passed away on Monday, April 15, 2024 at the Sebastian River Medical Center in Sebastian, Florida.

Born in Port Jefferson, New York, he grew up on Long Island, where his family were Long Island Duck farmers. Their property also contained an air strip, known as Brookhaven Air Service. His uncle was a former World War II P-51 pilot.  At age 6, Dan showed great interest in flying. His uncle put him an Aeronca aircraft, gave him instructions, his first hour of flight was logged and a career born. As a teen he became a licensed Flight Instructor with Single and Multiengine Instrument certification. Later working for Flight Safety.

At 21 he went to Kansas City to interview and test with TWA. Listed on his application were close to 2200 hours of logged flying time. His professional reference stated “That was just what was entered in his log book. He most likely had another 1500 to 2000 unlogged.” The pilots hired at the time were military, but TWA was expanding and needed pilots. Eight that were non-military applied. Dan was hired.

As an ATP Captain for TWA his career spanned 27 years flying 880, 727, 1011 and 747 aircraft. Along the way he became a licensed AP Mechanic and License Flight Engineer.  When not flying, he found time to be a member of the EAA Experimental Aircraft Association, AOPA Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association, American Bonanza Society, and the Fraternal Order of the Eagles.

Fellow pilots spoke of Dan as a true aviator. He just loved to fly.

His sense of humor, warm smile, bear hugs and love for his family will be missed.  If he wasn’t in the air he was on the waters off LI, NY, and Oriental, NC.

He is survived by his wife, Linda; son Daniel V. Jr., wife Jody; daughter, Rachel, husband Steven Studley; three grandchildren, Kegan Kaloski, Steven and Sophia Studley; sister, Karen Orth, and brother Douglas and wife Cindy.

Contributions as a memorial may be made to TWAmuseum.org or the AmericanDiabetesAssociation.com