Daniel Beresford Obituary

Daniel Beresford

July 5, 1937 - October 5, 2023

Columbia, South Carolina - A beloved man of honor and integrity, Daniel Booth Beresford, 86, died peacefully with his family gathered by his side in Columbia, SC on October 5, 2023 after living with dementia for several years. Born on July 15, 1937, Dan was the proud son of James Alfred Beresford, and Florence Booth Beresford. He spent a happy childhood in Bloomfield Hills, Michigan. The youngest of four siblings, Dan is preceded in death by his parents and older brother, John, and is survived by his two sisters Mary Matthews (of Katonah, NY) and Virginia Fox (of Bloomfield Hills, MI).

A graduate of Exeter, Brown University (where he was a member of the hockey team), and Michigan Law School, Dan spent his working days as a principled attorney. He was passionate about law and thrived in his role as Asst. Gen. Council for RCA, Inc., working with business leaders in Japan, SE Asia, and Europe. He served his community as a guardian ad litem, on multiple non-profit boards including the Princeton Junior School, the Fine Arts Center of Kershaw County and the Rotary Club of Rocky Club, New Jersey where he was a founding member. As a host for the Rotary student exchange program, Dan forged lifelong family-friendships with bright young minds in the UK and the Middle East.

Dan married Joanna Walsmith in 1978. He was a devoted, doting husband and a loving and supportive father to their four children: James A. Beresford II of Columbia, SC, Drew Beresford (Amanda) of Charlottesville, VA, Teddy Beresford (Lynae) of Columbia, SC, and Lydia Ghassemieh (BJ) of Leesburg, VA. All four of his children admired his intelligence, humor, devotion to family, and wisdom.

Dan was an animal lover, and admirer of nature, relishing quiet evenings in the family summer home in Greensboro, Vermont where he could observe the birds and wildlife. He was also passionate about art, an avid collector throughout his life.

Dan will be dearly missed by his wife, beloved friends, children, and seven grandchildren (Cecilia, Nora, Ainsley, Wyatt, Jack, Pippa, and Scarlett).

In lieu of flowers, please make a donation to the Alzheimer's Association. A memorial will be held in the spring, details to come as the family honor's Dan's request for donating his body to medical research.