"Missing you every single day my sweet Daniel. I wish I could talk to you about everything going on in my life right now. You always calmed me and made me feel better, no matter what. I miss your jokes about Trump and i miss your laugh. I love you so much and i wish I would?ve gotten one more dinner date with you. I love you forever my sweet darling. Goodnight hunnie "
In loving memory of
Daniel Dror Sr.
May 25, 1940 - March 15, 2021
Daniel Dror Sr., a former child prodigy and first violin of the Houston Symphony, who came to Houston by way of New York City's Julliard School before becoming a real estate mogul and CEO of several publicly traded companies, passed away peacefully on Monday in Houston. He was 80.
"Danny," as he was usually called, was born on May 25, 1940 in Tel Aviv, Israel to Nathan and Rose Faiwuszewicz. He picked up a love of music as a small child, around eight years old, after attending a concert with his parents. They bought him a violin, and he took to it right away. "It was in his blood," says his wife Gabriela.
He had good company in his musical pursuits in those early years. A young Itzhak Perlman was a boyhood friend, and the two remained close throughout Danny's life.
Along with an emerging love of music, Danny's childhood was also marked by the onslaught of war. With his family, young Danny fled the bombs and unrest of the region and resettled in São Paulo, Brazil, where he had an uncle.
In his teen years in Brazil, Danny picked up a new passion -- soccer. One of his encounter he had with Pelé. According to Dror family lore, Danny gave Pelé his first soccer ball.
It was the violin, however, that would prove to be Danny's resounding passion. At age 16, he was accepted as a student at The Juilliard School in Manhattan's Lincoln Center. On his own, Danny moved from São Paulo to New York City, where he worked various jobs to pay his way through the prestigious school, whose hundreds of famous alumni include Yo-Yo Ma, Henry Mancini and Danny's boyhood friend Itzhak.
In 1961, at age 20, Danny moved to Houston, having been offered work by relative uncle Jack Oshman of Oshman's Sporting Goods. But a job in music soon opened up, somewhat by chance. After taking in a concert of the Houston Symphony, he was given an opportunity to play for famed conductor John Barbirolli, who was just beginning a six-year run as music director of the company. Barbirolli was impressed enough by the impromptu audition to hire Danny on the spot, naming him first violin.
After two seasons in the orchestra, Danny began looking for a way out of the genteel poverty of a young artist. He left the symphony and became a real estate broker, and then, making the most of his modest earnings, began investing in real estate. As a young man in his 20s and 30s, Danny became a successful businessman.
He never lost his love of classical music. Danny continued to support the Symphony as a patron, once even being asked to perform onstage at a benefit concert he had sponsored. Antique violins by the likes of Stradivarius were among his most prized possessions.
Throughout the '60s and '70s, Danny earned a reputation as a suave, wealthy and well-traveled playboy. In this he reveled. In his later years, his eyes twinkled when retelling tales of old times with starlets in one glamorous world capital or another. But Houston, and family, would of course ultimately win his heart.
Professionally, Danny served as chairman and CEO of publicly traded companies across a variety of industries, including plastics, cosmetics and oil and gas services and he continued to buy land. In 1990's he purchased 120 acres in Kemah, out of which 30 acres he sold to Walmart, paying off the entire investment.
"He had an extensive understanding of business and a great vision for real estate," says his oldest son, Daniel II.
There was something else about that Kemah deal that made it feel right to Danny. He came to understand that the farmer selling the property was also a musician, who loved classical music. "It was meant to be," says Gabriela.
Danny is preceded in death by his parents Nathan and Rose Faiwuszewicz. He is survived by his devoted wife Gabriela, two sons Daniel II and David-Alexander, brother Elkana, nephews and many other loving friends and family.
In lieu of flowers, the family suggests that donations be made to Houston's Congregation Emanu El (1500 Sunset Blvd., 713-529-5771). For online giving opportunities visit https://www.emanuelhouston.org/
A Memorial Service will be held Tuesday, March 23, 2021 at 1:00 PM at Congregation Emanu El, please click the link below to join: https://venue.streamspot.com/event/MjU3NTk4NA==
Tributes
"Nobody has led a more colorful life than Danny. "
"Daniel my friend, it is with heavy heart that I write this tribute to you. We met over 30 years ago and have been BEST friends ever since. We would meet once a week for lunch and always had wonderful conversations about his wonderful children (Baby Daniel - is what I called his oldest son and still do) and David (his beautiful, pride and joy). Gabriela his wonderful wife, who has stuck with him through thick and thin! I admire you and wish you peace during this difficult time. Daniel you will be missed horribly, rest in peace my friend. "
"Our thoughts are with the Dror Family today as they start to navigate a new life. My first memorable time with Gabriela & Daniel was at one of the incomparable Thrash parties, with Daniel regaling us with his stories of travels, exploits, and music. It was never a dull moment listening to him, as he was incredibly articulate and his attention to details were beyond compare. Daniel lived a life most fascinating! We?ve all spent wonderful events together in Houston - from fundraising to birthdays to New Year?s Eve parties at Tony?s - Daniel shined a bright light everywhere he went. Our heartfelt condolences go out to Gabriela, David, & Daniel Jr. All our love, Caroline & Gary Kenney "
"Danny was one of my cigar smoking buddies, we had allot in common, albeit I am 15 years his junior. I sang opera, contrabasso, and I enjoy opera immensely. Danny taught me allot as well and he had a great sense of humor. I can remember many of his stories. I shall miss him immensely. His beautiful wife Gabriel, always treated me with kindness and respect. Rest in peace Danny! "
"I met Daniel through his lovely wife Gabriella who was a wonderfully elegant client of mine. I will never forget how down to earth, kind and sophisticated he was. He will greatly be missed. -JB-"
"I first met Daniel when he was introduced to me by Gabriela at Chavari restaurant in downtown Houston in 2004 to celebrate her birthday. I was very surprised when Daniel greeted me in Portuguese, a language he learned when he lived in Brazil. Gabriela had told him that I was Brazilian. I found him to be a very charming gentleman who was deeply in love with Gabriela. We had a wonderful meeting and I was happy to see how caring and dedicated he was towards her. After they got married, I had the opportunity to attend several elegant parties they offered at their house with excellent food and live music. Daniel was a very good host and good entertainer. I enjoyed listening listening to his incredible life experiencein different countries. On another occasion, when Gabriela invited 25 of her friends to celebrate her birthday at Tony's restaurant in Houston, Daniel and another musician friend arrived unannounced to entertain us with a violin serenade. It was a wonderful surprise to Gabriela and to all of us.Daniel was such a gifted violinist! I have good memories of all the events I participated with him and family. On a very special occasion, they invited me to attend a concert at Jones Hall for the Performing Arts in Houston in honor of Itzhak Perlman, a good friend of Daniel. What a privilege to be introduced to the world-famous violinist! The last time I saw Daniel was during the celebration of the new year at his house. As always, he and Gabriela offered a magnificent dinner with great joy and hope for a better 2021. Daniel looked very happy, healthy and enthusiastic about the future. I will always remember him as an optimistic and energetic great man. We all miss him. May his soul rest in peace."
"Our son, Dimitri, was best friends with David ever since they were 18 months old. Dimitri has a twin sister, Natasha, and so it was often the three of them in class, playing games or running through the woods (during scout camping trips). This was the focus that brought our families together, and we became close friends. We spent countless hours in deep discussions while the kids had a blast together. Daniel was both like a friend and father to me in many ways. He was very proud of what he accomplished in his life and he deserved to be so. His story is an amazing one, and if anyone ever 'won' in the game of life, Daniel did. Whatever Daniel touched turned to gold and this goes for his wonderful family as well. He was a generous and giving person, not just in terms of supporting important causes, but with his time, his wisdom and his encouragement. For me personally, he was always there as a mentor and guide when it came to new financial opportunities or ambitious plans. He and Gabriela were the most wonderful hosts and we always enjoyed our time with them. Perhaps our favorite activity was going to Kenny & Ziggy's and I'm sure there are many friends who enjoyed the same. Our time at Congregation Emanu El is inseparable from the Dror family and it was really a pleasure to have such great friends there (among others). Between daycare, scouts and services, Daniel, Gabriela and David were a big part of our lives. Gabriela bravely took on the duty of the scout camping trips with David, and we enjoyed many adventures together. I have to admit that when Daniel once came on a scout camping trip, it was a bit entertaining to watch him cope with the chaos - not his thing, but he handled it with grace as usual. We miss those days and we miss the Dror family. We are so sad about Daniel and for Gabriela, David and Daniel Jr. Daniel was a man of the world, an inspirational person, and a wonderful father and friend. There is one thing that he often said to me, or asked me, and this was because of my travels in Space. He figured that I had been closer to God than most people had ever been. Spiritually or physically this makes no sense really, yet the view of our home from Space seems like God's view of our lives. All I know is that he is closer now and from there I hope he can continue to watch over his wonderful family."
"I met Daniel and Gabriela many years ago at a Rose Foundation Charity event and coincidentally sat across the table from each other at the dinner portion of the event. We all became friends from that moment on. A few years later, I fondly remember, Daniel surprised Gabriela on her birthday, at Tony's Restaurant, by playing the violin for her, it was so beautiful and she was so surprised. He loved her so much. Daniel loved his sons, too. Daniel was always the perfect host. In fact, this past New Year's eve, Bill and I were invited to Daniel and Gabriela's home to celebrate the New Year. We had a great time but it would be the last time we would all be together. I'm so happy to have spent the time with The Dror's. Gabriela, Daniel Jr. and David-Alexander, you will be close to our hearts for comfort and peace in the days ahead. We will miss Daniel very much. Rest in peace."
"Daniel loved his 2 sons, Daniel Jr. and David. He was so proud of them as he was his beautiful wife, Gabriella, who was kind, devoted, naturally beautiful, and smart. He raved to me about her, when he met and married her, and during his marriage. I met him from mutual friends around 20 years ago. He was a great violinist which I was fortunate to hear him perform for Orchestra X, an organization that helped young musicians. Daniel and Gabriella generously donated to help cancer research and cures for those diagnosed with the critical illness of cancer through The Holly Rose Ribbon Foundation. He loved the helping young artists afford instruments and tools. He will live on through his children, good deeds, friends and intelligent wife. Rest In Peace Daniel for you left the world with music and a legacy to remember. "
"Daniel taught me that hard work and dedication are the keys to leading a successful life. I was privileged to hear Daniel play the viola, which I could tell without asking how much time and dedication he put in to perfect the art. In my times seeing him in Florida and visiting the Dror family in Houston, I always looked forward to the memories each time we got together. I cherish all the talks we had and time spent enjoying life together and I will never forget the joy you brought me every time we sat down at a restaurant. I?ll never forget the hospitality you gave me when I visited your home, you helped make it my favorite trip. From the time I spent with you I could tell David was blessed with a caring and kind hearted father who he could depend on for guidance. My deepest sympathies to the Dror family."