Carl Austin DaCruz

Carl Austin DaCruz passed away peacefully in Branford, CT on December 26, 2022 at the age of 90. He was born on December 4, 1932 to Marjorie Piper DaCruz and Francisco T. DaCruz Sr. in Bridgeport, CT. He was the oldest of three, and his siblings were Frank T. DaCruz Jr. and the late Donna Poindexter.
Carl was the beloved husband of Phyllis V. DaCruz and they resided in Branford, CT. It was during his sophomore year in college that he met the love of his life, Phyllis, at a concert at Carnegie Hall in New York City. They were married at the end of his junior year on June 13, 1953, and were happily married for 69 years until Phyllis passed away in August of 2022. Carl and Phyllis had two daughters, Karen and Kim.
Carl attended Warren Harding High School in Bridgeport, CT in 1946, and in his senior year applied for and received an academic scholarship to Southern Connecticut State University in New Haven, CT. Upon graduation in 1954, Carl received his bachelor's degree in Education and began his career as a teacher in the New Haven Public School System. He later went back to school to complete his master's degree in Education at Fairfield University in Fairfield, CT. In the early '60s, Carl started and was the Director of a summer day camp named "Camp 4 Wheels". He loved that his daughters, family members, and their friends had the opportunity to attend and enjoy the great outings and outdoor activities throughout Connecticut.
Carl is survived by his daughters Karen Williams (Darrell) of Greenbelt, MD, and Kim Thompson (Ron) of Upper Marlboro, MD. He is also survived by his brother, Frank T. DaCruz Jr. (Antoinette); his sister-in-law, Beverly Woods; and brother-in-law, Roy Poindexter; as well as five grandchildren, Renee Owens (Paul), Christopher Turner, Veronica Thompson (Brandon), Marcus Thompson (Tamara), and Lorin Stewart (Isaiah); two step-grandchildren, Aja and Nathaniel Williams; four great-grandchildren, Naomi and Ezra Stewart, Princeton Banks, and Rylee Owens; four nieces, Tanya, Debbie, Traci, and Rhonda; six nephews, Michael, Clifford, Raymond, Eric, Eddie, and Darryl; and a host of relatives and dear friends. He was predeceased by his sister, Donna Poindexter.
Carl's work history spanned thirty-five years. His pride in the schools he presided over, and the students he taught was of the utmost importance to him. His passion for learning was shared with thousands of children over the years. He was appointed Assistant Principal at Winchester School in 1968, and the following year was assigned the same position at Lincoln Bassett School. In 1970, he was appointed Principal at Ivy Street School, and held principalships at Scranton School, Conte School, and East Rock School in New Haven, CT. Carl served on the Board of Directors of Clifford Beers Child Guidance Center, and was a member of the School Administrators Association Scouts of America. He retired in 1989 from his educational endeavors.
Carl was known throughout his life as an engaging conversationalist with family and friends. He enjoyed family gatherings, and special occasions with his daughters and family members. He enjoyed summer vacations with his grandchildren and the Anderson (Gary, Bryan, and Melissa) family to Cape Cod, Massachusetts, and many other destinations. Carl and Phyllis loved to travel, and had many countless memorable trips to Aruba, Europe, South America, Canada, the Caribbean, as well as the western part of the United States with family and friends. Carl enjoyed jazz festivals and sports events as he was an athlete himself in high school and college. He will be remembered as a caring husband, father, son, grandfather, brother, uncle, father-in-law, and friend.
A private memorial service will be held to honor his life.