Daniel P. Hollister

WELLSVILLE — Daniel P. Hollister, 79, of Wellsville, passed away unexpectedly at home on Sunday (March 22, 2026).

Born May 21, 1946, in Olean, he was the son of Alfred and Lucy Closser Hollister.

Danny was a graduate of Bolivar Central School, Class of 1965, and excelled in football, baseball, basketball and track.  While in high school, he worked at his father’s service station, Hollister’s Sterling Service, (Quaker State), in the center of Bolivar.

Immediately after high school, he was drafted into the U.S. Army. He served in Vietnam from 1966 to 1967 as a medic, earning him the nickname “Doc,” still used by friends and family today. He was seriously injured twice during his service, for which he received the Purple Heart. For his service and heroism, he was awarded two Bronze Stars, one for valor; the Republic of Vietnam Service Medal; the National Defense Service Medal; and the Combat Medical Badge.

Danny subsequently graduated from Florissant Valley Community College in Ferguson, Mo., with a degree in chemistry.

He worked for the St. Louis County government as an environmental science field technician for 10 years. Upon returning to New York State, he settled in Olean and worked as a lab technician for AVX for 23 years prior to his retirement.

Danny avidly enjoyed golfing at St. Bonaventure, and watching all types of sporting events on television. His favorite teams were the Buffalo Bills and Sabres, the Chicago Cubs and St. Bonaventure Men’s Basketball.

Danny is survived by his sister, Nancy Lewis of Wellsville; his nieces and nephews, Scott Lewis of Alfred Station, Lori (Karl) Vossler of Virginia, Craig (Sarah) Lewis of Webster and Kimberly (Daniel) Johnson of Wellsville; and great-nephew and great-nieces, Sam Lewis, Megan Lewis and Elizabeth Vossler.

In addition to his parents, he was predeceased by his sister, Sheila; and brother, Wayne, both of Bolivar.

The funeral service will be under the direction of Mark F. Rinker Funeral Home, 554 S. Main St., Bolivar, on Saturday (March 28, 2026). Visitation hours will be held from noon to 2 p..m, with the funeral at 2 p.m. Following the service, interment will be at Riverside Cemetery in Belfast, with military honors.

The family requests that donations in Danny’s memory be made to the Allegany County Area Foundation, alleganycountyareafoundation.org, to support scholarships for college-bound students from Bolivar-Richburg Central School.