Obituaries

Cecil Richard “Rick” Daley, age 79, of Sault Ste Marie, Michigan, passed away July 19, 2026, at McLaren Northern Michigan Hospital in Petoskey, Michigan. He was born on September 23, 1946, in Sault Ste. Marie, to Renaldo Cletus and Alyce (Streeter) Daley.

Rick grew up in the “west end” and graduated from Sault Area High School in 1964. He attended Lake Superior State University and took a few drafting classes. He loved to draw in his younger years especially dead trees.

He was drafted into the Army in May of 1966 with his best friend John LaCoy. Rick was stationed in Korea as a radio operator and was discharged in May of 1968, serving for two years.

On July 19, 1969, in St Joseph, Michigan, he married Cynthia Ann Barrett from Trout Lake, Michigan. They shared fifty years together until Cynthia’s passing in October of 2019. He has missed her deeply since. He passed on what would have been their fifty-seventh wedding anniversary.

In his younger years he worked for Wilson’s Gas Station and Towing until his mother, Alyce, persuaded him to apply for the United States Postal Service in Sault Ste Marie. His Uncle William Streeter had already worked there for years. He was hired in 1971 and had a wonderful career and made many lifelong friends along the way. He retired on September 1, 2002, after thirty-one years of service.

In January 2014, Rick was fortunate to receive a successful donor kidney at University of Michigan Hospital in Ann Arbor, Michigan, after being on dialysis three days a week for five years. We were blessed with having him in our lives for another twelve years.

Rick enjoyed tending to a garden for many years and especially loved spending time with his grandchildren whether it was playing outside, building things out of wood or watching them in the many sports they participated in. Gramps was very proud of each one of them and would brag about them every chance he had.

Rick is survived by his daughter, Carla (James C.) Alexander of Sault Ste. Marie; son, Cecil R. Daley Jr. of Sault Ste. Marie; grandchildren, James R. Alexander of Waterford, Michigan, Caden R. Alexander of Sault Ste. Marie, Connor R. Daley of Sault Ste. Marie, and Caitlyn Jean Daley of Bowling Green, Kentucky; sister, Debbie Jo (Curt) Edwards of LaGrange, Kentucky; brother, David J. Daley of Sault Ste Marie; sisters-in-law, Judi Daley of Marquette, Michigan, and Connie Daley of Yorba Linda, California; brother in law, Tim (Pam) Barrett of Trout Lake, Michigan; many nieces, nephews, great-nieces, and great-nephews; as well as special neighbors, Cathy Cooper and Bob Weir.

Rick was preceded in death by his wife, Cynthia; parents, Renaldo Cletus Daley and Alyce Loella McCance; sister, Patricia M. Kliemann; brothers, Gerald W. Daley, Melvin R. Daley, Michael J. Daley; his infant brother, James Daley; and lifelong friend and best man, John LaCoy.

Per Rick’s wishes, no services will be held.

Cremation has taken place and a private gathering/burial will be held at a later date for Rick and Cynthia.

Cecil’s final resting place will be at Lakeview Cemetery in Trout Lake.

Contributions in his memory may be made to the Ball Hospice House, 308 W 12th Ave, Sault Ste. Marie, MI 49783, or Consider giving the gift of life by being an organ donor. You could save somebody’s loved one. www.organdonor.gov, www.uofmhealth.org or check the box on your driver’s license.

Condolences may be given to the family at www.familylifefh.com.