Local obituary: Dan Tesler, 39, Coast Guard veteran and father of two

Daniel Akira Tesler died peacefully in his sleep on Saturday, April 20th at age 39.

Dan was born in Kobe, Japan, on September 12, 1984, moved to Honolulu, Hawaii for part of his childhood, and then to Lexington, Massachusetts. Dan graduated from Lexington High School in 2002 and went on to the U.S. Coast Guard Academy, graduating in 2006. He served honorably in the Coast Guard for five years, aboard ships in Boston and Homer, Alaska, earning the rank of Lieutenant. Dan made many strong friendships and was always ready to help anyone in need. He met his wife, Rachel, while stationed in Boston, and they had their first date at St. Peter’s Fiesta in Gloucester. They enjoyed adventures and good food, whether it was their trip to Istanbul or a quiet dinner at Bella Verona in Salem.

Dan studied finance at Harvard, then law at Northeastern. He started his own practice as a patent attorney, helping others pursue and protect their dreams. He also worked as a welder at GE Aerospace.

While Dan was diagnosed with brain cancer in 2018, he always focused on what was most important in life and was a loving father to his two daughters. He shared with them his love of classic cars (especially his MGB) and his musical tastes. Dan led epic pillow fights and had a great sense of humor. He was the loving dog-father of Humphrey and Dahlia. He never missed a special moment with his family if he could help it.

Dan leaves behind his wife, Rachel Jylkka-Tesler, and daughters, Jocelyn (8), and Sage (6). He also leaves his parents, Toshie and Ronald Tesler, his sister, Maile Tesler, and her husband, Christopher Ledwith, as well as his cousins, Dara Alparen-Cipollone and Elizabeth Breslow, and his aunt and uncle, Adria and Paul Alparen. He is predeceased by his aunt, Phyllis (Tesler) Breslow. He also leaves many other close friends and family members.

Dan was laid to rest in a small graveside service at the Locust Grove Cemetery in Gloucester. A celebration of life will be held at the Rockport Golf Club on May 11th at 2pm.

In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made to the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute directed to the Neurological Cancers area, to The Negative Space (a caregiver support and advocacy organization), or to the GoFundMe which will benefit Rachel, Jocelyn, and Sage.

This local obituary is published via Legacy.com and Greely Funeral Home. Want a loved one’s obituary featured on Boston.com? Submit your obituary here, or email it to [email protected].