Daniel “Dan” B. Farina, 60, of Keene, passed peacefully surrounded by the love of his family at Cheshire Medical Center on Friday, Jan. 19.

He was born the son of Ronald A. Farina and the late Cynthia A. (Nicholls) on Jan. 25, 1963, in Keene. Dan Graduated from Keene High School in 1981. He received a BS in Psychology from Shenandoah College and Conservatory in Winchester, Va., and Master of Education from Keene State in School Counseling in 2011. He worked as a Mental Health Worker and Psychological Testing Technician at the Brattleboro Retreat. He enjoyed working for Savings Bank of Walpole in Keene. He worked as a Paraprofessional at the TNT School in Keene and then as a Middle School Counselor at Newport, Keene and Amherst Middle Schools.

Dan free-lanced as a trumpeter in a variety of orchestras, brass groups, jazz ensembles, recording studios, and as a soloist in the Northeast. He can be heard on composer Larry Siegel’s compilation CD “All Go Forward and Back!”, Disney’s DVD “Little Einsteins-Our Big Huge Adventure” (Dan recorded the trumpeting of character Quincy and the orchestral trumpet work for this DVD and and playhouse Disney episodes), and the Sacred Path Singers CD, “Walk In Peace”. Dan’s performance career included serving as principal trumpet with the NH Philharmonic Orchestra, as well as performances with Heritage Brass Quintet, Raylynmor Opera Company, Brattleboro Concert Choir Orchestra, Keene Chorale, Dartmouth Symphony Orchestra, New England Brass Ensemble, Hill’s Bandwagon, Monadnock Orchestra, Walt Sayre Orchestra, St. James Brass Quintet, KSC Commencement Brass Choir, the Papermill Theatre Pit Orchestra, Tom Foolery Band and other various show orchestras. He also performed in NH with singer Michael Card during his “Promise” tour. Dan studied with Robert Cummings in NH, Ed Cooper and Scott Nelson in Va., and Charles Schlueter and Dana Oaks in Mass. 

He played for many years at area churches to celebrate holidays and special events at the Mont Vernon Messiah Sing! at the Congregational Church in Mont Vernon, the Parish of the Resurrection in Nashua, All Saints Episcopal Church in Peterborough, United Church of Christ, St. James Episcopal Church and St. Bernard Catholic Church all in Keene.

He was trumpet instructor at Keene State College for seven years and also taught at Dublin Christian Academy and Elm City Music. Since 2009 Dan taught high brass at the Brattleboro Music Center where he shared his good humor, patience, and music with all ages. Dan loved everything about music such as listening, playing and performing.

Many people will remember Dan accompanying his father, Ron, as they shared their musical talents entertaining residents at the various community centers around the holidays.  

Dan is survived by his father, Ronald A. Farina, and predeceased by his mother Jocelyn Fairbanks. He is also survived by his siblings Tammy L. Waddell and her husband, John of Redmond, Wash., Diana Stowell and her husband, Jeffrey of Swanzey, Nancy Mackenzie of Keene and Lori A. “Pitsas” Farina and her husband, William Higgins of Keene along with his nieces and nephews who loved him dearly; Jessie, Megan, Amanda, Andrew, Michael, Matt, Dina, Adelle and Devany, cousins, extended family, Carly Chamberlin of Keene and his best friend, Glen D’Eon.

Dan’s wishes for a quality of life to continue playing his music and teaching/guiding children was first and foremost. He will now be sharing these goals in the hearts and memories of those who knew and loved him. We will be offering a Celebration of Life where his fellow musicians can play to express their shared passion of music and respect for Dan. The gathering to celebrate Dan’s life will take place Saturday Feb. 3 from 10 a.m.-2 p.m. at the Alumni Center at Keene State College at 232 Main St. Please note that limited parking is available in the Alumni Center parking lot, and in metered spots along Main Street. It has been asked to please not park in the Historical Society Parking Lot. In lieu of flowers, the family asks for donations to be made to the Brattleboro Music Center in Brattleboro, Vt. (bmcvt.org) in Dan’s name. Services are under the care of Cheshire Family Funeral Chapel and Crematories, 44 Maple Ave. Keene, NH. 03431, www.cheshirefamilyfh.com.