David Teed

David M. Teed, devoted father and distinguished Assistant Attorney General, passed away Wednesday March 30, 2022, after a tough battle with Alzheimer's Dementia/Vascular Dementia. He was 67 years old. A lifelong believer in the law as a force for social progress, David M. Teed was born in Willimantic, Connecticut on December 21, 1954, to Stanley M. Teed and Carole-Jean Slater. His commitment to justice and opposition to discrimination in any form started at young age, being the oldest child of four, he always fulfilled his duties to protect his siblings and extended family at every turn. He loved his family deeply. His desire to achieve social justice within the legal and political system prompted his decision to pursue a legal career and he graduated from the University of Connecticut Law School in 1979. He was an intern at the Connecticut Attorney General's office during law school and ultimately landed a job there upon graduation. As an Assistant Attorney General, he provided counsel for the Commission on Human Rights and Opportunities. Among his signal achievements in this position was his highly effective use of the "disparate impact" doctrine which he used in litigation against implicit forms of discrimination. David used disparate impact claims to end subtle, less direct forms of discrimination and was tireless in his determination to make the legal system work for all Connecticut residents. His commitment to civil rights was given special recognition by the Commission on Human Rights in 2005, and he received the highest possible rating in both legal ability and ethical standards from Martindale-Hubbell's AV Preeminent Peer Review in 2014. David retired from the Attorney General's office in 2015. David volunteered to serve on the Board of Trustees of Woodstock Academy in 1992 and became treasurer in 2005. He was dedicated to providing students with diverse opportunities through a rigorous curriculum and to cultivate the necessary skills to become lifelong learners to all the students who attended the Academy. He cared deeply about education and worked to safeguard the Academy's funding while upholding the educational mission of the school. He retired from his volunteer work at Woodstock Academy in 2021. On the days he wasn't fighting for justice or helping to cultivate a positive and diverse learning opportunity for his community, David was puttering around in his pontoon boat or canoe and fishing on Crystal Pond, a lake he grew up on and where he finally bought a home in 2012. David loved sharing his love of the lake with his children and grandchildren, giving them a ride on his pontoon boat or canoe any chance he could. He was at his happiest when pointing out all the places he played as a child or vacationed with his parents on the lake. His children have countless boating stories from their adventures with him that they will always cherish, even if they sometimes questioned where he got his boating license! He was also an avid, lifelong Red Sox fan, and never missed watching a game. David loved animals, especially his dogs Shamrock and BeeBee. David was also an incredibly proud father to three children, Jennifer Amy Duncan-Bendix, Michael Slater Teed, and Kathryn Ann Teed. David was an extremely proud grandfather and he doted on his grandkids Jaden Blaze Gilmore, Riley James Duncan-Bendix, Aubrey Theresa Duncan-Bendix, and Lincoln Slater Person. In addition to his children and grandchildren, David is mourned by his two surviving siblings Paul E. Teed of Midland, Michigan and Cynthia Gwiazda of Wallingford. His sister Lynne Cap passed away in 2014. Friends described David as a devoted father, great mentor, great friend, brilliant, kind, generous and an honorable man. He will be missed by all who knew him. A memorial service will be held at the Woodstock Congregational Church 543 Rt. 169 Woodstock on Saturday, May 14, 2022, at 1pm. In lieu of flowers, anyone who wishes to honor David M. Teed is requested to make a contribution to his grandchildren's college fund. Which can be made out to Lincoln S. Person, or Kathryn A. Teed. tillinghastfh.com