David Everett Brown, educator, entrepreneur, accountant, and community leader, peacefully passed away Monday, February 28, 2022, surrounded by his family. He was 83.

David was born November 18, 1938, the son of the late Harry and Isabella Brown. Originally from Stratford, the family moved to Trumbull in 1949. Shortly thereafter, he met Sandra Hayward in his church youth group, and the two have been inseparable ever since. They married in 1961.

David graduated from Bullard-Havens Technical School in 1956, and was one of the only graduates to then attend college.

He earned a BS in education from West Virginia Wesleyan College in 1960, and began teaching math and physics at Trumbull High School. Over the next 16 years, he taught in various school districts including Bethel and Newtown. During this time, he was active in the Newtown Jaycees, Town Players, and Friends of Music. A lifelong learner, he later earned two Master’s degrees, as well as a sixth-year certificate.

In 1976, he left teaching to manage the Edmond Town Hall for three years, turning it from a struggling theater to a thriving family entertainment destination. David cared deeply about family and young people in general, and was always coming up with new ways to engage and employ them, including creating and directing a summer travel camp, running the concession stand at Dickinson Town Park, advising the chess club and drama club, as well as serving as class advisor and owning and operating a duckpin bowling alley. He also served on the Newtown Board of Selectmen and Legislative Council, and was active in the Newtown United Methodist Church.

After receiving his CPA designation, he became an accountant, working for several firms before opening his own firm in Newtown. Eventually he went back to teaching, first as an adjunct at WCSU, Sacred Heart, and Housatonic Community College (HCC), before becoming a full-time assistant professor at HCC. In 2015, he was forced to retire because of a massive stroke. While he lost the use of his left side, he never lost his spirit and his positive outlook. He was well loved wherever he went, telling jokes and playing music trivia.

Besides his wife of 60 years, Sandra, David is survived by his daughters, Jennifer Young (husband Henry) and Jessica Meadows (husband Jesse); his sons, Jason (wife Kathryn), James (wife Karen), and special family member Craig Stenner (wife Saowalak); ten wonderful grandchildren, and many nieces and nephews. He is also survived by his sister, Deborah Brown, and brothers, Douglas Brown and Roger Brown (wife Cynthia).

Friends and family may pay their respects at the Honan Funeral Home, 58 Main Street, Newtown, on Friday, March 18, from 5 to 8 pm. A memorial service will be held at the Newtown United Methodist Church, 92 Church Hill Road, Sandy Hook, at 11 am on Saturday, March 19.

In lieu of flowers, contributions can be sent to: Housatonic Community College Scholarship Fund, 900 Lafayette Boulevard, Bridgeport CT 06604; Newtown United Methodist Church, 92 Church Hill Road, Sandy Hook CT 06482; or Griffin Hospital Development Fund, 130 Division Street, Derby CT 06418.