Daniel J. Aikens

Daniel J. Aikens, age 60, of Newark, DE, passed away peacefully on Thursday, January 30, 2014, after a courageous battle with cancer. Born in Wilmington, Delaware on February 5, 1953, Danny was the son of the late Joseph Aikens and Mary McCann. Danny graduated from DelCastle High School in 1971 where he studied printing. He was a sports fanatic and loved cheering for the Green Bay Packers and the Philadelphia Flyers. He took great pride in his work at Dodd Dental Laboratory, where he was an expert in his field as a dental technician. Danny also worked at FedEx until his illness. The most important thing to him was providing for and taking care of his family who were everything to him. Danny truly loved people, a good day at the beach, and was beloved by all of his family and friends. He will forever be missed for his kindness, generosity and his loyalty to everyone that he knew. He will always be remembered for his love of life, his big smile, his huge heart and sipping a pineapple margarita on the beach. The family would like to express their appreciation to Dr. Guarino, Cheryl, Christine and Krissy, along with the entire staff at the Helen Graham Chemotherapy Center, Dr. Rebecca Jaffe, and Rene and Linda of Delaware Hospice for the compassionate care each of them provided throughout Danny’s illness. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his stepfather, Joseph Green. Danny is survived by his beloved wife of 31 years, Dianne (Finocchiaro) Aikens; loving children, Daniel J. Aikens, Jr., Christopher Aikens and Alexa Aikens; brothers-in-law, Martin Finocchiaro and Robert Finocchiaro (Kathleen); his 2 cousins, Jeannie Beamer and Joann Durnall, who were both like sisters to him; and many aunts, uncles, cousins, nieces, and nephews. Friends may call from 6 pm until 8 pm on Monday evening, February 3, 2014 at the Spicer-Mullikin Funeral Home, 1000 N. DuPont Parkway, New Castle, DE and again from 9:30 am until 10:30 am on Tuesday morning, February 4, 2014 at the funeral home. Mass of Christian Burial will be offered at 11 am on Tuesday morning, February 4, 2014, at Our Lady of Fatima R.C. Church, 801 N. DuPont Parkway, New Castle, DE. Entombment will follow in All Saints Cemetery, 6001 Kirkwood Highway, Wilmington, DE. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions in Danny’s name may be made to the American Cancer Society, 92 Read’s Way, Ste. 205, New Castle, DE 19720 or to Delaware Hospice, 16 Polly Drummond Center, 2nd Floor, Newark, DE 19711.