Daniel Austin Ayres, of California, Maryland, died Saturday, May 8, 2010, after a long struggle with cancer. He was 57 years old. The stepson of Joseph Perry Melton and the son of Daniel Ralston Ayres and Kathleen Ayres Melton, all of whom predeceased him, Daniel graduated from Little Flower Elementary and Ryken High School. He grew up in Mill Cove, near Myrtle Point, and loved boats, crabbing, and taking long walks along the shore.

Daniel was a quiet man who enjoyed reading his Bible and painting pictures of the landscape so dear to him. His fondness for coffee made him a familiar figure at his favorite stores - McDonalds, Giant, Target, WaWa, Donut Connection - where his sense of humor and polite disposition won him many friends. A Pathways' resident for over a quarter of a century, Daniel brought out the best in people. He had a knack for making even the most ordinary exchange a special moment of human connection, and he will be missed by bus drivers, sales clerks, postal workers, receptionists and many others throughout St. Mary's County. He will also be missed by his Pathways housemates and by his sister, Elizabeth Ayres.

Daniel Ayres faced challenging circumstances with courage and dignity. There will be a visitation at Immaculate Heart of Mary Church at 10 a.m. on Thursday, May 13, 2010, followed by a Mass of the Resurrection at 11 a.m. His sister requests that, in lieu of flowers, well-wishers send a contribution to: Friends of Myrtle Point Park, P.O. Box 1433, California, MD 20619.

Arrangements provided by Brinsfield Funeral Home.