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 Daniel P. Connerton, 85
 March 21, 2025
NORTH ADAMS, Mass. — Daniel P. Connerton, 85, Professor Emeritus of History at MCLA in North Adams died on Feb. 21 from complications of Parkinson's Disease.
Dan was a lifelong educator who loved travel, talking with people, dancing, and community action. These passions carried him from the University of Rhode Island to Georgetown University, and the University of North Carolina in Chapel Hill, then to Germany on a Fulbright fellowship.
In his 36 years at MCLA he chaired the History and Political Science department, led student travel/study groups through western and eastern Europe, and Mexico, and choreographed performances of Cabaret and West Side Story with the Theater department. After retiring, he continued teaching –English in Shanghai for two years, then as a substitute teacher in the North Adams elementary schools. Most recently he tutored English conversation online.
Dan was an active North Adams community member. He was elected to the School Committee, served on the Historic Commission, and on advisory boards for local social organizations. He was a parishioner at St. John's Episcopal Church. Dan was a dedicated swimmer – spending winters at the YMCA pool and summers at Windsor Lake.
In retirement, Dan travelled the world. On his final adventure he followed the Silk Road through Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan, and Turkmenistan. Travel informed his teaching and introduced him to people around the world. He always learned how to greet and thank the people he met in their own language and found that different languages were never a barrier to good conversation.
He is survived by his wife of 56 years, Sally Bahnsen Connerton, his daughter Winifred Connerton, daughter-in-law Jennifer Ryan, and granddaughter Maizie Connerton-Ryan of Amherst, MA. He is predeceased by his daughter Brigit Connerton, brother James E. Connerton Jr. and his parents Christina and James E. Connerton.
A Memorial service will be held at All Saints Episcopal Church in North Adams on April 4. Contributions in his memory can be made to the Northern Berkshire Community Coalition.
| Dan was always a friendly and positive colleague, devoted to education, an active supporter of faculty rights, and a great dancer! We will miss him. Best wishes to you, Sally. | | from: Myles Whitney | on: 03-13-2025 |
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| Sorry to read of Mr Connerton's passing. If I had not met Brigit I probably would not have learned the value of travel. | | from: Tara Cowan | on: 03-13-2025 |
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I worked at NASC / MCLA with Dan. He was always very polite
And soft spoken. Rip my friend.
Tom DeGray | | from: | on: 03-12-2025 |
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| Sally, It breaks my heart that Dan has parted ways so soon! I miss seeing the both of you and hope that the fond memories you've made together over the years will keep him close and keep you strong. | | from: Dawn Vadnais | on: 03-12-2025 |
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| Dr. Connorton was an excellent teacher, mentor and all around human. I hope his family finds solace in knowing how beloved he was and that we can all do what we can to keep his legacy alive through remaining curious, diligent and at least aim for excellence. Thank you, Dr. Connorton. | | from: Natalie MB | on: 03-11-2025 |
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| Dear Winifred and Sally, I will miss Dan’s and my talks during his massage. He always spoke so kindly of all the women of his family and how he was out numbered! He was always giving me a history lesson! He was a kind man. | | from: Barbara Gagnon | on: 03-11-2025 |
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| I read all the wonderful comments about his time at NASC/MCLA. I just wanted to jump in as I knew him from the YMCA. He went out of his way to meet everyone in the pool. He was a very kind man. Kathy | | from: Kathy | on: 03-11-2025 |
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| Dan was always very friendly to us. Our sincere condolences. | | from: Barbara and Eric Rudd | on: 03-11-2025 |
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| Dan took my Summer Session course in 2004 and was such a delightful presence in my class! He was a great neighbour for me, and a kind chaperone to my Italian-speaking parents around North Adams. Dear Winifred and Sally, I am sorry for your loss, and I will always remember Dan fondly. | | from: Graziana D'Elia-Brillante | on: 03-11-2025 |
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| Dan helped me focus on my capabilities and gave me opportunities to show that I was more than I thought I was. He made history fun, exciting, and brought it to life in the classroom, and he was a great mentor. Even though I have been out of the Berkshires for a long time now, I still think of him occasionally and the impact he had on my life. He will be truly missed. | | from: Mike DeBlois | on: 03-11-2025 |
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| Sally, So sorry for your loss. I am offering my condolences to you. I know that you two were a team. | | from: cheryl tarczynski | on: 03-11-2025 |
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| RIP, Professor | | from: JAMES GALLAGHER | on: 03-11-2025 |
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| Sally and Winifred , I am so sorry for your loss. I always enjoyed talking to Dan and he was a great colleague. He was highly respecterd professor. | | from: Don Pecor | on: 03-11-2025 |
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| I enjoyed working with Dan for many years at MCLA. He challenged all his students to do their best. My condolences to his family. | | from: Linda Kaufmann | on: 03-11-2025 |
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Sally and Bridget - I was so very sorry to hear of Dan’s passing! What an absolutely wonderful man he was! I truly enjoyed conversations with him. He was brilliant but also a lot of fun! May your wonderful memories of him help to comfort you in the days ahead!
Blessings,
Carla (Daugherty/Parker) Holness | | from: Carla Holness (Daugherty/Parker) | on: 03-10-2025 |
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| Dan was my office mate, valued colleague and good friend. No one cared more about the value of international education, the need for understanding the past and the importance of knowledge. Ellen and I send our sincere condolences to Sally, Win and family. He will be missed. | | from: Bob Bence | on: 03-10-2025 |
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My condolences to the Connerton family.. Our paths crossed on occasion when he would sub teach at Brayton; such a delightful person and a contagious smile.
| | from: Maureen | on: 03-10-2025 |
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| Professor Connerton was a friend and neighbor. We also worked together at MCLA. I will always cherish the memories over our 40 year friendship. God bless you, Dan. | | from: Carl Villanueva | on: 03-10-2025 |
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| I am so sad to hear of Dan's passing. He was a true Renaissance man, but also the best of neighbors for many years. I will miss our far-ranging sidewalk conversations. Deepest condolences to Sally and Winifred | | from: Lisa Jarisch | on: 03-10-2025 |
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| So sorry for your lost Sally! I'm truly going to miss Dan and the conversations we had together!! Dan and you were my friends!! | | from: Bruce laperle | on: 03-10-2025 |
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| I had Professor Connerton at NASC & worked with him again while he was a substitute teacher at Brayton School/NAPS. It was an honor to work with him. He was full of knowledge &experience... I enjoyed learning from him; tough, yet fair. Always willing to help students succeed. Blessings & prayers to the family. | | from: D.M. | on: 03-10-2025 |
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| Professor Connerton made history come alive…one of my favorite educators at North Adams State College. So sorry for his family’s loss. Heidi Dugal | | from: | on: 03-10-2025 |
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| Professor Connerton had a wonderful impact on my education at NASC. His concern for me continued to this day (over 40 years)! The chosen obituary photo is so perfect. Condolences to all of his loved ones. | | from: Sheila Dassatti | on: 03-10-2025 |
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| I am sorry to hear of Dr. Connerton's passing. I took a history course with him at then-North Adams State College and in my nearly 40 years since as a North Adams resident I would bump into him on occasion. He was always friendly and always a gentleman. I know he'll be missed. | | from: Paul Moriarty | on: 03-10-2025 |
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| Condolences and best wishes to the family. He was a thoughtful and wonderful colleague for many years!!!! -gjs | | from: Gregory Scheckler | on: 03-10-2025 |
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My thoughts and prayers go to you Winifred and your family.
I'm very sorry for your loss. | | from: Jim DelRatez Jr. | on: 03-10-2025 |
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