Norwood Allan McDaniel

McDaniel, Norwood A. (Woody), 88, of Punta Gorda, FL, formerly of Pittsburgh, PA, passed away on September 29 surrounded by his loving wife and family. Woody was a prominent Pittsburgh insurance broker, businessman, philanthropist, and avid athlete. Starting his own insurance agency at a very early age, he developed it into one of the leading and well known general insurance businesses in Western Pennsylvania. He was an avid athlete and well known golfer who had 4 Holes in One in his lifetime. Woody was ranked in national handball and was inducted into two Pennsylvania Sports Halls of Fame in 1972 and 1973. In addition to his keen business sense, Woody was equally well known for his philanthropic activities. He was trustee of the Norwood A. McDaniel Foundation. He also was active in the Shrine and was a Past Potentate of Syria Temple in Pittsburgh where he represented 26,000 Shriners in 1978. He was one of the youngest Potentates to lead a Temple in North America. Woody was the recipient of numerous citations, tributes, and honors. These included citations in the Congressional Record by both the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States as well as the state of Pennsylvania. He received Keys to the City of Pittsburgh and Allegheny County. He was also recognized by Prince Philip in London for the Variety Club International and President Ronald Regan in 1987. He was the Variety Club Chief Barker of Tent #1 in Pittsburgh. He was further recognized by Allegheny County Community College with an honorary Doctorate Degree and was in Who’s Who in America. He was a member of the Syria Temple of Pittsburgh, Bethel Masonic Lodge #761, Scottish Rite Valley of Pittsburgh, 32nd Degree Mason and Secretary/Treasurer of Shriners Treasures Association of North America. He was the Founder and Past President of the Syria Horse Patrol which won numerous awards. Other memberships include the Twin Isles Country Club and the Elks Lodge #2606 in Punta Gorda, Fl. He was also a former member Churchill Country Club in Pittsburgh, Past President of Circus, Saints and Sinners, Past President of Amen Corner and a member of the Fellows Club. He is survived by his wife, Louise Weber McDaniel, daughter, Cherie McDaniel of Little River, SC, son, Norwood A. McDaniel, Jr. of Sandpoint, Idaho, three grandsons, a granddaughter, and three great grandchildren. A Celebration Of Life will be held at Peters Place Restaurant, 1199 Washington Pike, Bridgeville, Pa. Saturday, October 21, 2017 from 1:30-3:30pm. Internment will be private. Memorial contributions may be made in his honor to the Shriners Hospital for Children, Syria Shrine Center, 1877 Shriners Way, Cheswick, PA 15024. Memo: Erie Hospital .