Daniel Duarte

Daniel Duarte of Orange. I was born during the hurricane of 1938 to Portuguese immigrant parents, Manuel and Mary (Salgado) in Plymouth, MA. My brother, Gilbert, of Plymouth, MA predeceased me in October 2015.

I graduated with a B.S. from Bryant University, received my Master’s from CCSU, 6th year from University of CT, taught business at Amity High, Woodbridge, 1960-2002, served as business department chair, and was elected AEA president for four terms. I was elected President of the CT and New England Business Educators Associations and served as adjunct business professor at Gateway Community College from 1967-2003.

On September 6, 1961 at Amity, I met a very special student teacher and my future wife, Diana V. Pepe of Ansonia, whose family owned the Ansonia Architectural Woodworkers.

We were married in 1963, and in 1967 we chose to make Orange our home. We spent 62 years of happiness together.

In the late 1970s into the 1980s through the Orange Park and Rec Department, I got parents to believe their daughters were worthy of and could play a bat and ball game. Today, it is called Orange Little League Softball.

With my wife, we ignited great dreams in our two daughters and guided and supported them in their academic and athletic endeavors. Tina in 1987, and Melissa in 1992, were recognized as scholar-athletes at Amity High School and today are physicians.

I say good-bye to Tina’s wife Bridget Baird, to Melissa’s husband Matt Henretta, and to my five fabulous grandchildren: Theo and Daniel Duarte-Baird, and Jacob, Lauren, and Andy Henretta. They made me understand why grandchildren are so revered. To them I am “POP!”

Last, but not least, I say to my wife and daughters, “You made me proud while making my role as husband and dad quite easy.” Really, it has been mission accomplished in so many ways!

I am grateful for the love and support of all my relatives, nieces and nephews, former students, and the many friends and neighbors who visited me and reminisced about our happy times together.

I especially want to thank Dr. John Elefteriades who gave me 16 more happy years with my family because of his pioneering research in aortic aneurysms and Dr. Sue Chang for their compassionate care.

In lieu of flowers, donations in my memory may be made to The Aortic Institute at Yale, and mailed to John Elefteriades MD, Emeritus Director, PO Box 208039, New Haven, CT 06520 to further research in aortic disease.

Please join us in celebrating Dan’s life on Saturday, April 1, at 1pm at Gusto’s Trattoria, Milford. Interment will be private.

Jenkins-King & Malerba Funeral Home in Ansonia is managing travel arrangements to Mount St. Peter’s Cemetery, Derby.

Yes, I wrote this prior to departure!