Hartland, Vermont - Daniel C. Comstock, 87, of Hartland, died on Sunday, August 15, 2021, at the Jack Byrne Center for Palliative and Hospice Care in Lebanon, NH. Dan was born in Woodstock, VT on May 6, 1934, to Elwin and Lucia (Webster) Comstock and other than the time that he spent in the United States Army, spent his whole life living in Vermont. Dan was married to Jo-Anne Gertrude Fedelski for twenty years, and they had four children. In 1976, he married Eleanor Smith on July 12. On July 13, they found out that the paperwork the day before wasn't in order, and he had a second chance to do it all over again, and the pair was officially married in the back seat of the Justice of Peace's car. The two of them shared 45 years of adventure.

Dan had an amazing memory, a dry wit, was an adept critical thinker, and had seemingly boundless energy and drive. When faced with a challenge, he'd pause and take some time to work out a creative solution. His knowledge was almost completely self-taught through reading anything and everything that was nonfiction from cover to cover.

Dan loved to challenge himself and create. Over the course of his adulthood, he built 3 homes by hand. To help showcase different areas of their expansive garden and arboretum built beautiful stone walls and stone features. He knew the Latin names of all the plants and trees and loved to share this knowledge with his family and those who came to their garden tours.

He was a talented rifleman, both in competition shooting and hunting. For many years, he held the top spot in New England for .22 target rifle and traveled extensively with Eleanor while they both competed across the United States. At home, he loved to go deer hunting and help to keep the gardens safe from varmints.

His drive to try something new and drive to challenge often involved Eleanor, and after he retired from Goodyear, the two of them decided to undertake a new goal: hiking to the summit of all the 3000-foot mountains in New England. Even though they'd never hiked on that level before, they accomplished this goal within 2 years without any injuries.  In March of 2006 to present Dan dealt with a condition called transverse myelitis which left him with no sensation below both knees and his mobility.

Dan's family will miss hearing him say, "I'm from Vermont, I do what I want," but up until the end, his statement was true. He lived a full life, nearly always, his way.

He was preceded in death by his parents; his sister Mary who died in childhood; and two sons, Michael and Thomas.

He is survived by his wife, Eleanor Comstock of Hartland; two children, David Comstock and wife, Marian of Hartland and Barbara Gramling and husband Jed of White River Junction, VT; two stepchildren, Judy Malloy and husband Walter of Elmont, NY and Kenneth Smith of Concord, NH; two brothers, Carlton Comstock and wife Ann of Springfield, VT and Raymond Comstock of Baldwin, KS; eleven grandchildren; eight great grandchildren; other relatives and friends.

A celebration of life will be held Saturday, September 4, 2021 from 12-4PM at Dave & Marian Comstock's home on Quechee Hartland Road. Please feel free to bring a chair and a side dish if you wish.

Knight Funeral Home in Windsor, VT has been entrusted with arrangements. Condolences may be expressed in an online guestbook found at www.knightfuneralhomes.com .