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Haohao

Daniel Rebecca, of Danny’s Bagel, passes away

Posted: 03/31/2011 10:27 am

Many Guangzhou expatriates may already be aware that the familiar face of Daniel Rebecca, of “Danny’s Bagel” fame, passed away last weekend, March 26 2011.

I had never met Danny in the flesh, but he provided his input on the development of this website and I regularly chatted with him on both Facebook and Twitter. I also never visited his restaurant, but was (and still am) very familiar with the menu; I ordered from it all the time when I lived in Guangzhou in 2006 and 2007.

Danny had lived in Guangzhou since 1994, making him one of the city’s longest-term expats and known to many foreigners who live there now or passed through over the years. His restaurant was, and is, a landmark for hungry laowai looking for down-home American cooking. But more than that, as many comments online can attest, he was a connector; a warm man who made people feel welcome. (That he was a great NHL hockey fan does not escape me either, even if it was the New Jersey Devils he adored.)

He will be missed.

(Photos are from the Facebook page of Lonnie Hodge).

 

 

Haohao
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  • Dale

    Danny was a friend of mine and I visited his business many times. I was sad to hear of his passing. My thoughts and prayers go out to his wife and family.

  • Kenny

    Dear Danny,
    You will truly be missed. Thank you for the many years of friendship and special fun family times in Guangzhou. Your NJ down to earth and approach to life and business was greatly valued and appreciated especially by this NY expat and bagel lover. God bless.
    Keeping you and your family in our hearts, thoughts and prayers.
    He was a fantastic human being-a one in a million type of person. The world is a little less brighter especially in Guangzhou, China due to the passing of a great NJ American whom I have had the pleasure of knowing since 1999. I had just moved here for work and was desperate for a home cooked meal. Well, I didn’t find it but I did find Danny’s Bagel who filled more than just my tummy with his great gift of gab with each and every order I placed. He surely took away the anxiety of living in China with his unique one of a kind personality and knowledge of expat living. From visiting my class of first graders to talk about food and restaurant service to sharing his expertise in pizza making with my school children on excursions to his place of business. The children enjoyed making pizza faces with the toppings especially the ones with a smile because that’s how we always left after a visit to Mr. Danny of Danny’s Bagel.

  • Kenny

    Dear Danny,
    You will truly be missed. Thank you for the many years of friendship and special fun family times in Guangzhou. Your NJ down to earth approach to life and business was greatly valued and appreciated especially by this NY expat and bagel lover. God bless.

    He was a fantastic human being-a one in a million type of person. The world is a little less brighter especially in Guangzhou, China due to the passing of a great NJ American whom I have had the pleasure of knowing since 1999. I had just moved here for work and was desperate for a home cooked meal. Well, I didn’t find it but I did find Danny’s Bagel who filled more than just my tummy with his great gift of gab with each and every order I placed. He surely took away the anxiety of living in China with his unique one of a kind personality and knowledge of expat living. From visiting my class of first graders to talk about food and restaurant service to sharing his expertise in pizza making with my school children on excursions to his place of business. The children enjoyed making pizza faces with the toppings especially the ones with a smile because that’s how we always left after a visit to Mr. Danny of Danny’s Bagel.

  • http://www.hotmail.com suwakorn

    we sorrow for his passaway.
    we met him during stay in china almost two year and visit his restaurant in 2007&2008.

  • http://www.hotmail.com suwakorn

    sorrow for your pass away my old friend.
    from suwakorn, Thailand.

    • Bunny

      I didn’t see much of my cousin Danny when we were growing up. Our paths went different directions and then he moved so far away. Thanks to email and facebook we connected and he loved my pictures of the snow here in PA and when the trees changed colors and pictures of the lake. He even used some of them for his screen saver and put some pictures in his resturant. Recently I sent him pictures of his Dad and Mom and some family phots which gave him great pleasure and happiness. I am so glad I did this.
      I will miss him. Love you. Cousin Bunny

  • JoAnne

    We send our condolences to Danny’s wife & Family. Our thoughts and prayers are with you. Coming from New Jersey ourselves we connected right away. I still remember the first time we joked with Danny about Jersey Boardwalk food–We have been in China a long time and were so happy to have have him come along. He was one in a million. Danny is a great guy who will be missed vey much.

  • http://www.North100.com Lo

    I’m shocked and so sad to hear this. I first learned of Danny’s Bagel in 2002 during our first adoption. His food, and delivery, was such a welcome treat for so many new families! A delivered order from Danny’s was often a family’s first meal as we settled into the hotel with our newly adopted child. He’ll forever be a part of many fond memories. I hope he knew that. I kept in touch with Danny over Twitter. He was so much fun – very sweet man. He talked about how GZ was developing and proudly shared photos. He also enjoyed seeing photos of where I live. He promised our family a full tour when we hope to return for our girls’ heritage tour. It’s not going to be the same without him. I will miss him a lot as I’m sure many of his fans all across the world.

  • Peter Chen

    Danny,
    I did not get to say good bye to you bro. I love ya. You made me feel like a piece of America was there when you were catering lunch at AISGZ. And I loved coming to your restaurant to see you and Ada. I miss you man. I pray to Jesus that your spirit is with Him and pray for all your loved ones, wife, friends in GZ and NJ. Peace my brother.

    What I love about you is that you were just real, we could talk about anything. That is what being human is about.

    Pete Chen

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