Daniel and I met in April of 2017. He was so charming, warm, witty, and had an unwavering confidence about him. His ability to wrap you up into a sincere and venerable conversation was incredible. He made it easy to develop a life long connection. We bonded over many things… being mutual theatre nerds…Chocolate lovers…the desire to find a lasting love…to name a few. No one has mentioned sexy but come on! To know Daniel, was to know his ability to seduce! Seduce you into a better mood, seduce you into trying an exotic new food, seduce you into making better choices for your life, seduce you into a fit of laughter or deep conversation, and eventually seducing you into being his wife… no?… just me? He even read a book called “The Art of Seduction” so he was truly well educated in the matter! All jokes aside, there wasn’t anyone he couldn’t win over. And if he was going to do something, he was going to educate himself, practice till perfection, and execute precisely. Nothing he did was ever done half way. His dark striking features, intense eyes, smile, and voice, made him truly unforgettable. And of course the variety of different facial expressions! After a couple years of dating, we married in April of 2019 and moved to Curaçao. Covid lock down struck and revealed many things in us both. After a series of unfortunate events, In 2021 our marriage came to an end. We gave it our very best try. I was blessed to know him and learn so many valuable lessons from our time together. Our life would lack so many incredible experiences, opportunities, and adventure if it weren’t for Daniel and his generosity and love for excitement. He was the love of my life for 5 years. Leaving him was the toughest decision I have ever had to make. In addition to being a Son, Nephew, Cousin, a Friend and colleague, he was once, Husband and Dad. He’s left a giant hole in all our lives. He was deeply loved and will be deeply missed forever. 

It’s 2020 and it’s the first lockdown. Daniel and I start talking, and quickly hit the beach once the lockdown is over. It was impossible not to become friends. His wit, his sarcasm, he was always a blast. And at the same time he always had solid advice or a stern word to convey in any situation. Always ready to help!

Fast forward and Daniel is now a very dear friend and we miss him very much. From dinner when I needed a shoulder, casual chillings when it’s been a while and we needed to catch up, to a pool party when he needed his fambam, Daniel was a great person and will be cherished forever. 

On behalf of Ino and I, we want to wish Daniel’s family and friends love, light and much strength with this enormous loss. Curaçao will never be the same without our friend, it has been an honor to cross paths and exchange some of this rollercoaster we call life’s highs and lows together.

May he find peace in grace. Daniel pa semper✨🫶

I didn't know Daniel very long , but the years that I did were warm and memorable; looking back it feels like a decade, haha. High School Drama at SJ wouldn't have been same without him! Sharp-witted, always kind, and always reliable; He  brought the best of himself to everything he did. Dan had a way of making newcomers feel like family; His smile  and humor were his trademark, and yet even back then I could tell he was serious about life, and it showed. It's a harsh thing to see him go so early, but I'll always remember him as one of the earliest examples of working hard and being happy about it.ld i.

Prayers for you Daniel and to all your family, that you all would find peace and comfort this day.

In Christ,

Ngbede

My heartfelt sympathies to family and friends.

One of the countless splendid afternoons we spent together.

Theatre kids

— with Daniel Uňate, Ed Roman. J.R. Caire

I am grateful to have Daniel woven into my life. He was a friend who continually expanded your horizons, with poetry, jokes, food, adventures, and friendships. 

Sending hugs and prayers for comfort to all of Daniel's family and friends. A quote Daniel sent me once from Winnie the Pooh:

"'Will we be friends forever, Pooh?' asked Piglet.

'Even longer,' said Pooh."

Daniel enthusiastically finding a Cameron product in the middle of the swamp exhibit at the Audubon zoo

Daniel and Rachel celebrating after graduating- putting off lunch to find our people in the crowd.

Juanita and family, I am so sorry for your great loss. I never met Daniel, but I am sure he was a fine young man and I am praying for his soul. 

Love, Becky Barnett

Our Lady of Grace Praesidium 

I am so sorry for the loss of Daniel. My prayers go out to Juanita and all of his family and friends.  May his soul rest in peace. 

Daniel was of a rare quality and depth of character.  His presence was powerful, calming, and deeply loving. He is the type of friend who leaves a core harmony and remembrance in your soul, that immediately awakens when you think of him. It is strange to think that the strongest and most beautiful of us are often taken early.  Regardless of his earthly passing, Daniel's presence in my heart and soul leaves me with a calm and alive smile: knowing of God's presence and Grace that flowed richly and generously through him...  Daniel is a Great, and I'll miss him deeply till next time.

There's so much I could share about my twenty-two-year-long relationship with Daniel, such as our shared love for the Fast and the Furious movies (which we watched together religiously for a while) or the old-man energy we basked in during our 20s as we grilled together at one of the various parties he threw. 

Over the past few years, we grew apart, and I didn't know what he was like at the end, but I will share a quiet, more private moment I had with him a long time ago. Bear in mind that it's been over a decade since this occurred. 

As many people can attest, while Daniel was usually smiling and seemingly aloof, there were occasional moments of quiet contemplation when his outer shell would peel away. 

I can't remember why we were so far from my side of town, but Daniel and I were eating at a Chinese restaurant on the east side. I do remember that he was uncharacteristically serious. 

As we waited for our food, Daniel shared details about his birth and what he remembered about his father. As he spoke, the confident, relaxed version of Daniel I thought I knew melted away into a more vulnerable, carefully worded version of himself. I realized that even while we smiled and partied and whatnot, he waged battle against these emotions and thoughts daily. He didn't want to become a victim of his circumstances. 

As the lunch continued, I shared my own personal struggles with him. By the end of the somber meal, even though we had friends whom we considered family, it felt like Daniel had truly accepted me as his brother for the first time. 

Daniel was someone I admired, and I wanted to share how much he fought every day of his life to become someone great. Someone who his friends could rely on for a good time or help whenever they needed it. Someone who deeply loved and took care of his family. Someone who was easy to love. 

I hope his family and friends find strength and solace in his passing. I've lost one of my found brothers, but I find comfort in knowing he's no longer suffering or feels incomplete — he is whole.  

Thank you for everything. John 3:16

Daniel with his Cameron V&M Family