Daniel Christopher Newell

SALEM - Daniel Christopher Newell passed away peacefully at home with his loving family by his side on March 20, 2020. Daniel was born on April 25, 1990 in New London, Connecticut. He was raised in the Montville Connecticut area in a military family. His dad, Chris, was a Navy Submariner and when he went underway, Dan, his sister Martha, and his brother Ben would go to the shores of the Thames River to wave goodbye. They got a wriggle of the periscope in response. Dan graduated from Montville High School with honors in 2008. Along the way he made many friends including Mike, Brennen, Paul, Josh, Jake, Jerry and Nick and stayed part of a close group. To all who knew him he was a tall goofy kid, but when he put on ice skates it was like watching a different person. Graceful and talented, he had followed in his grandfather's, father's and brother's footsteps playing ice hockey. He loved the sport. After graduating from high school, Dan attended the University of Connecticut for a short time until he made the decision to join the United States Marine Corps. Dan didn't want to just be any Marine, he wanted to be a part of one of the Marine's most elite specialty occupations. He chose to become a Recon Marine. Forming life-long bonds with this second family, his team members became his brothers for life. During Dan's time in the Marines, he went on an 11 month surge deployment in 2011 aboard a ship as a Visit, Board, Search, and Seizure detachment to fight piracy around the African coast. After his first deployment with Charlie Company, 2D Reconnaissance Battalion, Dan transitioned to Bravo Company within the battalion and went on a Special Purpose MAGTAF to Spain in 2013. Shortly after returning from his second deployment, Dan was back to rigorous training to include Military Freefall Parachutist School, Combat Dive School and advanced training that would get him ready for his third ship deployment which was with 2D Force Reconnaissance Company in 2015. Returning from this deployment as a seasoned Recon Marine, Dan went to Camp Pendleton, California and became an instructor at the Basic Reconnaissance Course from 2017-2019. Daniel reached the rank of Staff Sergeant during his service. While in the Marines Dan also met and married his wife, Chelsea Sweeney. Living in North Carolina they became parents to their son Everett and a couple of years later, moved to the San Diego area where they had a second son, Calvin. Dan had recently returned to Connecticut to make plans for his life when it was tragically cut short. He will live on through all the lives he has touched. This gentle giant of a man, with a huge heart, will be greatly missed. Semper Fi Dan. Daniel is survived by his wife Chelsea and their two sons, Everett and Calvin, his parents Chris and Lisa (Tice) Newell, his sister Martha, her husband Brian and their son Nathaniel, his brother Ben, his wife Vanessa and their son Henry. He is also survived by his grandmothers, Martha Thrasher and Nancy Tice. He is predeceased by grandparents Charles Newell, Eugene Tice and Joan Clark. He also leaves behind aunts, uncles and cousins from both sides of his family and many others who hold him close to their hearts. Funeral services will be held at later date. The Woyasz & Son Funeral Home is assisting with arrangements. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Dan's memory by visiting website: https://salvageusa.org/Dan.