DANIEL ARCHIBALD NESBETT

1929 - 2014

Daniel Archibald Nesbett of Ivoryton , CT, passed away peacefully on December 1. Born in March 1929, the son of Bess and John Nesbett, Dan spent his early years in Bayside, Long Island, in a house adjacent to the yacht club where he developed his early love of sailing. After his father volunteered for the Navy in World War II, the family moved regularly: Dan attended six secondary schools in four years, in San Diego; Taylor, Texas; and elsewhere. He matriculated at Horace Greeley High School in Chappaqua, and then spent a post-graduate year at The Gunnery School in Washington, CT. He graduated from Cornell University. Following two years as a junior navy officer, Dan started his career in advertising in New York City at BBDO, then Yardley, then Dancer Fitzgerald Sample, where he spent 15 years. High profile accounts he managed included Hardee's and Mexico, where he traveled frequently. In the early 1970s, he visited Cancun before a single hotel was built, sleeping in a hammock on the beach. Soon after, he helped develop the marketing plan aimed at potential U.S. travelers and, with a creative team, launched the now legendary "Walk in the footsteps of Mayan Kings" advertising campaign. He later regretted how overbuilt the resort became. In the 1980s, he founded Travel Market Trends, an authoritative analysis of the travel industry. Dan was also an avid skier, who found time to write (generally early in the morning) travel and humor articles for Skiing magazine, which included reviewing little-known East Coast ski mountains. His favorite was Mad River Glen. For a half-century he was a member of the Amateur Ski Club of New York City and Waitsfield, VT. He retired to Essex, CT, in 1998 were he enjoyed many of his passions. He served actively on various local boards, played racquet sports, researched and wrote historical interest articles for local publications, and continued to refine the art of growing perfect begonia. Dan rediscovered piano, studying jazz theory and playing on a daily basis. He ultimately performed at various local events and parties. "Dan approached life with passion and dedication. He had a deep intellectual curiosity for history and travel, was passionate about music, and found great joy in bringing people together," stated the Family. He is survived by his wife Jane Brown Nesbett to whom he was married for 50 years and who currently lives in New Canaan, CT, son John and his wife Pamela in New Canaan, CT, and Peter and his wife Shelly in Philadelphia. He is also survived by two grandchildren Alexandra and Isabella of New Canaan, CT.
There will be a memorial service at Saint Anne's Episcopal Church in Old Lyme, CT, (82 Shore Rd) at 12 noon on Saturday December 6, followed by an open reception at the Old Lyme Country Club. All friends are welcome. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Essex Library Association, 33 West Avenue, Essex, CT 06426.