Suffolk Man In Need Of Transplant 'Tragically' Dies Of Liver Failure

LINDENHURST, NY — A beloved Lindenhurst man who unexpectedly needed a liver transplant last week has died of his illness.

Dan Engelhardt, 44, who suffered from liver failure and battled two infections, died Sunday, friend Christina Pickford McNamara told Patch.

He will be laid to rest Thursday morning at Maria Regina R.C. Church, located at 3945 Jerusalem Ave. in Seaford.

Mike McNamara, Pickford McNamara's husband and co-creator of a GoFundMe for Engelhardt, addressed his passing in the fundraiser description.

"On Sunday, the day began with a sunny and brisk morning," he said. "What followed was the peaceful warmth of an intimate, early afternoon transition. Dan's last days, hours, and moments were both tragically beautiful and eye-watering."

McNamara, Engelhardt, and the two other co-creators of the fundraiser had all been in a "tight knit" group since elementary school, said his wife, Christina Pickford McNamara. Engelhardt and his wife, Nicole, met in junior high school, and have been together ever since.

"It's truly humbling to know that Dan fought until he simply couldn't any longer," McNamara said in the update. "We praise him for the will and courage he carried throughout his final moments. Goodbyes are never really proper, but Dan received a wealth of goodbyes, and he received each one of them in proper form and fashion."

The community overwhelmingly came together last week to support Engelhardt, raising $8,950 in a single day to ease his medical bills.

The fundraiser now has $17,375 in donations for Engelhardt's memorial services, and to help his wife and family.

"Dan felt every ounce of love from everyone here and we know that he took those feelings with him when he left this world," the update said. "Similarly, the outpouring of love and support has been felt by Nicole, Dan's brothers Bob and Brian, and all of Dan's family and friends."

Friends and family will remember Engelhardt as an irreplaceable friend, whose light shines in every room.

"While this was never the outcome that we have all collectively prayed for and agonized over, please remember that Dan will always live on through each of us in different ways," the update said.