ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. — Daniel Lee Viergutz, 74, St. Petersburg, Fla., died after a lengthy illness April 15, 2025 at Bay Pines VA Hospital, St. Petersburg, Fla.

Cremation has taken place and burial will be with honors at the New Mexico National Veterans Cemetery, Santa Fe, at a later date.

Dan was born Feb. 1, 1951, in Norfolk, to Vernon and Frances Viergutz. He attended St. Frances School, Randolph, graduating in 1969. Dan entered the U.S. Army in September 1969 and was honorably discharged in October 1971. His time in the Army included a tour of duty in Vietnam. Dan served his country humbly and was the recipient of a Purple Heart, a Bronze Star and Commendation Medal for sustained acts of heroism.

Shortly after his discharge, he enrolled in Adams State College in Alamosa, Colo. In 1972, he purchased the Purple Pig Pub in Alamosa, which he operated until 1983. During his years at “The Pig” he was active in the community sponsoring local softball teams and supporting live music. He also sponsored the Baca Grande Golf tournament for several years. In 1982, he married Deborah Mullens Wingate, they lived in Colorado, Randolph, Las Vegas and Findley, Ohio. They later separated. Dan moved to St. Petersburg in 2012 Dan was an active member of Alcohol Anonymous celebrating 34 years of continuous sobriety. It is Dan’s legacy that he was very instrumental in working with and giving back by helping fellow veterans and others through his involvement in AA. He was a valued and respected member of the St. Petersburg 49’ers AA group and will be missed.

Dan will be remembered by friends and family for his quick wit and humor. He always had a quick joke to lighten any situation. Dan was always there to lend a helping hand when needed. He loved his dogs and playing golf. A passion of Dan’s was taking road trips and driving. He always took the road less traveled and avoided the interstate system whenever possible and relied on maps instead of GPS. In September of 2024, he lost his home in Florida to Hurricane Helene.

Dan is survived by his dear friend and partner, Maureen Larkin Gioia; Deborah Mullens Viergutz; daughter, Danielle Wingate Embree (Sean), LaDera Ranch, Calif.; sisters, Susan Kollars (Dennis), Dubuque Iowa; Patricia Verzani (Fred), Helena, Mont.; and brother, Mark Viergutz (Cheryl), Mesa, Ariz.; nephew, Donald Verzani (Patty), Portland, Ore.; and Levi Edstedt (Tim), Missoula, Mont.; nieces, Jenny Verzani Wilcynski (Mike), Big Sky, Mont.; Laurie Kollars Walter (Jarrad), Decorah, Iowa; and Sadie Viergutz (Travis); seven grandchildren and four great-grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his parents; son, Dustin Wingate; and nieces, Sandi Kollars Michel and Lisa Verzani.

In lieu of flowers memorials can be made in Dan’s name to: The Fisher House, a nonprofit that provides free housing, transportation and food to families of veterans while their loved one is in the Bay Pines VA Hospital. The address is Fisher House, % Bay Pines VA Hospital, 10000 Bay Pines Blvd. Bay Pines FL 33744.