A 50-year-old Plymouth man killed in a rollover crash on Route 3 on Friday evening was remembered in his obituary as an adoring father of two children and a friend to all.
Daniel Zilinski was driving a Nissan Rogue south on Route 3 around 5 p.m. on May 31 when, for reasons unclear to investigators, it went off the left side of the road and landed on its roof in the Eel River, killing him and seriously injuring his two kids, according to Massachusetts State Police.
In his obituary, Zilinski was remembered as a beloved husband and adoring father whose proudest achievement in life was the “beautiful family” he created with his wife, Jen.
Zilinski was on his way to becoming a star athlete, when as a teenager he was stricken with a virus that “created significant disabilities” for him. But, his obituary recalls, Zilinski “learned to live triumphantly with his challenges” facing his adversities with courage, grace and humor and an “unfathomable” source of positivity that spanned his entire life.
“May this inspiring example continue to be Dan’s legacy,” the obituary reads.
Despite those challenges, Zilinski graduated from Dover Sherborn High School and later earned a bachelor’s degree from Providence College. At Providence College, Zilinski could be found cheering on his teams in the Pep Band.
That sports fandom carried through the rest of his life, as one of Zilinski’s joys was rooting for Boston’s sports teams. He also enjoyed growing vegetables in his garden, collecting coins and spend time at home caring for his family and pets.
Zilinski’s “most recent form of entertainment” was finding “Dad Jokes” and riddles to share with his family and friends on a daily basis.
Visiting hours for Zilinski will be held on Monday from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. at the Cartmell-Davis Life Celebration Funeral Home in Plymouth. A funeral mass is scheduled for Tuesday at St. Bonaventure Church in Manomet, a seaside village of Plymouth. A private burial service will be held later.
In lieu of flowers, Zilinski’s family asked donations be made to the Lakes Region Disabled Sports program at lradaptive.org
