Published by Legacy Remembers from Mar. 21 to Mar. 22, 2020.
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.