Longtime industry participant Florzell 'Georgia Boy' Daniels, 88, of Harrington, Del., died April 12, 2018, at Nanticoke Memorial Hospital in Seaford, Del.
He was born on March 1, 1930, to the late Pleas and Daisey Lee Daniels in Blakely, Ga. He received his education at Washington High School in Blakely. After leaving home, he served in the United States Air Force from 1947 to 1949.
He later found his passion for horses, and started professionally grooming horses in 1958, working until his illness in 2015. A legend in the harness racing industry, affectionately known as 'Georgia Boy', he touched the lives of many with his humble spirit and infectious smile. He worked at various racetracks including Harrington Raceway, Dover Downs, Freehold, Chester, Meadowlands, Ocean Downs, Colonial Downs, Rosecroft, Brandywine Raceway and Liberty Bell Park.
At the vibrant age of 83, he proudly received the honor of HTA/Hanover Shoe Farms Groom of the Year in 2012. Of the many, many horses in his care over the years he often said his favorite horse was Southern Nero.
At the time of the award it was printed that Daniels, “As a black man who grew up in the South in a time when race was a significant issue, 'Georgia Boy' saw the world at its worst and at its best. But none of the worst soured him; he loved life, he loved people, he loved animals, most of all horses.”
He was the true essence of the goodness of harness racing.
He thoroughly enjoyed reading the newspaper, watching sports, laughing, joking, having fun and doting on his family.
Mr. Daniels was preceded in death by his loving parents, Pleas and Daisey Lee; sister, Onita Beale; and daughter, Jeannette. He leaves to cherish his memory, his loving wife of 46 years, Frances C.; youngest sister, Gwendolyn (Keith) Romelly; sons Florzell Jr. (the late Pam), Bill (Denise), Ardell (Linda) and Eugene (Mardella) White; daughters; Yvonne (William) McCormick, Leona White, Nina Everett and Thais; 15 grandchildren; nine great-grandchildren; and a host of in-laws, nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.
Services are Sunday (April 22) at the Bennie Smith Funeral Home, 717 W. Division St., Dover, DE 19904. Visitation from 9:00 - 11:00 a.m. will be followed immediately by the service. Burial will be private.
Please join Standardbred Canada in offering condolences to the family and friends of Florzell Daniels.
(USTA)