Peter H. Darasz

Peter Harold Darasz, age 72, passed away peacefully surrounded by his family on October 9, 2025, at Exeter Hospital, following complications from a stroke he suffered two years ago. He was an extraordinary father, husband, sibling, teacher, and friend who had a gift of making everyone he interacted with feel special and valued. Peter was one of the rare people who truly made an impact and left the world better than he found it.
Born on October 26, 1952, in Waterbury, Connecticut, Peter was the eldest son of the late Walter and Dorothy (Odell) Darasz. He was raised in Harwinton, CT, and graduated from Lewis S. Mills High School in 1970. His passion for learning led him to pursue higher education at Central Connecticut State University, where he earned his bachelor's degree in Early Childhood and Special Education and Eastern Connecticut State University, where he earned his master's degree in Early Childhood Education.
During his college years, Peter met his beloved wife of 50 years, Beth Kelley. Peter and Beth shared a lifetime of partnership and love. They spent their life together enjoying travel, music, and trips to the beach. The greatest joy of their marriage was raising their two children, Zach and Casey. They started their life together in Naugatuck and Putnam, CT before moving to Derry, NH where they would live for the next 29 years before retiring to Raymond, NH. Peter once wrote that they were, "emotionally, spiritually, and physically joined at the hip."
Family was the most important thing in the world to Peter. He loved to go to concerts with his son, Zach. One of Zach's favorite memories with his dad is seeing Dark Side of the Moon performed in its entirety by Roger Waters. With his daughter, Casey, he shared his passion for running and the two spent many hours on the trails together. Some of Zach and Casey's favorite childhood memories were their summer "Adventures with Daddy," which included visiting the Taylor Library and Museum of Science, hiking and camping in the White Mountains, and building elaborate sand castles on the beach. His kids gave him two bonus children with his son-in-law, Daniel Maynes, and daughter-in-law, Dani Mullin. The brightest lights in Peter's life were his grandchildren, Eva Pauline and Declan Peter Darasz. Being their Poppy brought him endless happiness.
Peter's true calling was teaching and his legacy can be felt through the hundreds of kids he taught over the course of his 35 year career. Known as "Mr. D" to his students, he started as a preschooler teacher and special education administrator before transitioning to Carlisle Public Schools, where he taught Kindergarten and 2nd grade for 19 years. Mr D.'s students and colleagues remember him as kind, generous, and inspiring. He had a special way of truly seeing his students and bringing out the best in them. If you had Mr. D as a teacher and were wondering if he remembered you, he did. He never forgot a student and followed the progress of his kids as they grew up, watching proudly from afar.
Peter had an innate curiosity about the world and was a lifelong learner. He loved to travel and experience new cultures - taking bucket list trips to Hawaii, China, Poland, Italy, and Greece, as well as exploring a number of National Parks. After he retired, he took classes at the University of New Hampshire, relearned how to play the flute, and read as many books as he could. Peter wanted to make a difference in the world and, throughout his life, he volunteered for the Humane Society, Epping Elementary School, supported Syrian refugees, and raised money for Silgich Hill Academy in Kenya.
For most of his life, Peter was an avid runner. He completed five marathons and was a member of the Greater Derry Track Club for many years. From 1987-1999, he served as Director of the Summer Fun Runs in Derry, NH. He loved introducing the joy of running and being active to kids of all ages, as well as teaching them about giving back to the community by collecting canned goods for the local food pantry. Peter had many interests and hobbies throughout his life including reading, hiking, camping, skiing, playing the guitar and flute, and going to concerts especially at the Word Barn in Exeter, NH. In his later years, he found tranquility taking his dog, Chloe, for long walks in the woods by his home.
Peter is survived by his wife, Beth (Kelley) Darasz of Raymond, NH; his children and their spouses, Zachary and Danielle Darasz of Revere, MA and Casey and Daniel Maynes of Richmond, VT; his grandchildren, Eva and Declan Darasz; his siblings and their partners, Pamela Rieley and Bret Andres of Hope Mills, NC, Paul and Wendy Darasz of Harwinton, CT, and Philip and Polly Darasz of Gorham, ME; brother-in-law, Bruce Kelley of Richmond, VA; his nieces and nephews, Vanessa Orkney, Adrienne (Rieley) Grand, Lauren (Rieley) Kirsch, Jack Tyndall, Jennifer Darasz, Michael Darasz, Amanda (Kelley) Forgione, Devon Kelley, Connor Kelley, and Emily Kelley; and many friends. Peter was predeceased by his parents, Walter and Dorothy (Odell) Darasz, his brother-in-law, Thomas Rieley; as well as many cherished pets who were undoubtedly waiting for him on the other side.
A Celebration of Life will be held on November 2, 2025 at Brewitt Funeral Home - 2 Epping St., Raymond, NH 03077. The viewing will begin at 11am and the service will begin at 12pm. All are welcome to attend.
Peter cared deeply about mental health, social justice, and education. Please consider donating to the American Society for Suicide Prevention, the American Civil Liberties Union, or the International Sharing Foundation in his honor.