Daniel Jerry Loza

Daniel Jerry Loza, 32, of Dalton, passed away unexpectedly at his home in Vermont on March 1, 2023. Born on February 23, 1991, in King City, CA, Danny was the son of Kathy Garren Loza and Miguel Loza. At the age of nine, he moved with his family to the Berkshires, where he spent the majority of his life. Our Danny was witty, bright, and peaceful. He enjoyed spending time with his family, and especially adored his 10-year-old daughter, Aerie. He had a passion for cooking, enjoyed trying new craft beers, and was also quite a candy connoisseur. He attended Central Berkshire schools, as well as St. Agnes and St. Joseph's High School. He held various jobs in tool and mold making, a testament to his keen interest in machinery. A fast learner, he also mastered the art of laying stonework, becoming skilled at driving a lull and running an excavator. He relished every new activity with enthusiasm and was eager to try new things. He was most recently employed at Mount Snow, tuning skis and snowboards. Danny loved his family dogs, Phoebe and Daisy, and enjoyed taking them on walks to Wahconah Falls, often with his daughter. He had genuine friendships with people and animals alike. He embraced everyone with a gentle and humble tenderness that was evident by his warm, calming hugs. His affectionate humor was contagious and connecting. He often linked life events to funny SpongeBob references, and would endearingly smile and ask us if we, "remember the episode when...". An avid gamer, and naturally adept with electronics, he built his own gaming computers. He also appreciated many types of music, a characteristic he shared with his daughter. Besides his mother, Kathy, of Dalton, and father, Miguel, of Texas, Danny is survived by his beloved daughter, Aerie Loza, of Pittsfield, MA. He was the youngest of nine siblings, and is also survived by two brothers, Tito (Naomi) Ruiz and Benny Ruiz, both of California; two sisters, Susie Ruiz and Maria Loza, both of Massachusetts; and three siblings, Laura (Adam) Hotchkiss, Miguel Loza, and Robert Loza, all of Texas. He also leaves his best friend, Jonathan Budaj, who was always in his corner. He is also survived by his former partner, the mother of his daughter, Sarah Pettit, as well as numerous aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews and cousins. He was predeceased by his older brother, Gabriel Loza, and his grandparents, Betty and Jerry Garren, of California and Manuel and Maria Loza of Texas. We feel blessed to have had such a loving, caring and funny son, brother, friend and father in our lives, and are saddened that his life was cut too short. A celebration of Danny's life will be held on Saturday, May 6, 2023 from 4 to 7 PM at the Unitarian Universalist Church of Pittsfield, 175 Wendell Ave. In lieu of flowers, Danny's family suggests donations may be made toward his daughter's educational fund in care of Covey Allen & Shea Funeral Home, PO Box 215, Wilmington, VT.