Fair winds and following seas to Captain Daniel Robert “Dan” Bilicki, U.S. Navy (Retired), 92, of Wachapreague, who passed away on Friday, July 10, 2026, and was reunited with Anita Bogsted Bilicki, his beloved wife of 64 years.
Born on Feb. 17, 1934, in Maspeth, N.Y., Dan was the son of the late Joseph Bilicki and Phyllis Canopa.
Dan served his country with honor and distinction for 28 years in the U.S. Navy before embarking on a second successful career with Bell Textron, where he contributed to the V-22 Osprey tiltrotor aircraft program. Across both careers, he left a remarkable legacy of leadership, innovation, and dedicated service to his country. Those who knew Dan will always remember one of his favorite sayings, a reflection of both his love of helicopter aviation and his enduring spirit: “To fly is heavenly, but to hover is divine.”
After retiring to Virginia’s Eastern Shore, Dan continued his commitment to service as mayor of Wachapreague and as a member of the board of the Eastern Shore Coalition Against Domestic Violence, along with other volunteer and community activities.
Whether he was known as Dan, Dad, Grandpa, GGP (Great-Grandpa), or Captain “Dapper Dan,” he was the man his family looked up to. By his example, he taught his family the value of hard work, the importance of leading with integrity, the strength to face life’s challenges, and the joy of loving deeply. He also passed along the finer arts of being a true Italian cook, a master of the short-order breakfast, and perhaps most importantly, savoring a well-made Old Fashioned while listening to Frank Sinatra.
Dan is survived by his sons, Robert Francis “Bob” Bilicki and his wife, Julia Anne, of Wachapreague; Stephen Richard “Steve” Bilicki and his wife, Kathy, of Wachapreague; and Neal Harold Bilicki, of Swansboro, N.C. He also leaves behind his cherished grandchildren, Daniel Robert Bilicki II (Kara), Martha Bilicki Byrnes (John), Grace Louise Bilicki, Christopher Moore-Bilicki (Josephine Herbst), and Daniel Neal Bilicki (Caitlyn); and his beloved great-grandchildren, Caroline Rae Bilicki, Sloane Danielle Bilicki, Quinn Gabrielle Bilicki, John Hamilton Byrnes IV, and Brooke Elizabeth Byrnes.
Family and friends will gather to celebrate Dan’s life at Seaside Park in Wachapreague (across from the fire station) on Saturday, Aug. 29, at 4 p.m.
Those who wish to honor his memory may do so by sending a donation in his name to Riverside Shore Memorial Hospital, c/o Sally Schreiber, P.O. Box 430, Onancock, VA 23417, https://www.riversideonline.com/foundation; or the Wachapreague Volunteer Fire Company, P.O. Box 390, Wachapreague, VA 23480.
Memory tributes may be shared at www.williamsfuneralhomes.com
Arrangements are by the Williams-Onancock Funeral Home.
