Daniel John Cruson III — historian, educator, and author — passed away with his family by his side on February 21 at Regional Hospice in Danbury after a prolonged illness. Dan was born December 6, 1945, in New London, Conn. to Daniel Cruson, Jr, and Brenda Getchell Cruson.

He grew up in Easton, Conn., and attended Joel Barlow High School, where he later worked for 37 years as a teacher of local history, anthropology, economics, and East Asian history. He studied at Trinity College in Hartford where he graduated with a bachelor’s in economics and a master’s in education.

As an adult, he moved to Newtown, where he became a fixture in the local community, serving on a number of boards and committees. Most notably he served for over 25 years as the first official Town Historian. Local history was his passion, which he energetically promoted and preserved through lectures, walking tours, and numerous published works.

Dan is predeceased by his younger brother, Pieter. He is survived by his three sons, Daniel, Thomas, and Benjamin; two grandchildren, Danny and Nick; his daughter-in-law Bethany; his ex-wife Carolyn; and the many students and local residents who are indebted to him for passing on his love of history and archaeology.

The family appreciates your respect for their privacy at this time. They will be planning a public celebration of life at a later date.

If you would like to be added to a mailing list for notifications about the celebration of life or would like to share memories, photos, or condolences, please e-mail dancrusonmemory@gmail.com.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made to the Newtown Historical Society (newtownhistory.org).

Honan Funeral Home, 58 Main Street, Newtown, is serving the family. To leave an online condolence visit honanfh.com.