Hill Activist Danny Newell, 1963 – 2020

Daniel Demetrius Newell, known as ​“Danny” to most and as ​“Counselor” to at least one close friend for his compassion, wisdom, charity, and dedication to community, died from complications from the coronavirus on April 21. He was 56 years old.

In the days since his untimely passing, a broad cross-section of friends, family, Hill neighbors and local political leaders have mourned his loss as the Covid-19 pandemic continues to take its toll in the Elm City, and disproportionately so on the African American community.

Newell was a lifelong New Havener who worked for over three decades at The Children’s Center of Hamden, a behavioral health care organization focused on helping young people struggling with substance abuse, family trauma, and learning disabilities.

He was ​“a dogged advocate for youth, and someone who possessed a truly remarkable ability to connect and engage with troubled youth,” Children’s Center of Hamden CEO Dan Lyga said in a recent Facebook post lamenting his former colleague’s passing.

“No one could ​‘put out a fire’ like Danny when kids were going through an especially rough patch. I think above all else the kids he dealt with always knew that he genuinely cared about them.”

On social media and via phone and email interviews with the Independent this weekend, New Haveners who grew up with Newell, those who worked with him, those who immersed themselves in local politics with him or sat side by side at church with him, all described him in strikingly similar terms.

“Danny” was thoughtful, faithful, selfless with friends and tireless in his advocacy for a world where every young person could have an equal opportunity to thrive.

“I am heartbroken,” said LEAP Executive Director and 2013 mayoral candidate Henry Fernandez, who said he first met Newell when they were both advocating for kids through the Citywide Youth Coalition in the early 1990s.

“Danny was New Haven, and I am proud that he was my friend for a quarter century. He shaped the Hill neighborhood and rebuilt kids’ lives in his work at the Children’s Center.”

“Danny had an amazing moral center,” Fernandez continued, ​“which I am sure he would tell you was connected to his faith. You could always count on him to do the right thing, especially in a time of crisis. His first inclination was towards justice.”

Westville Alder Darryl Brackeen agreed.

Brackeen said he knew Newell both through local politics and through their shared church in Bridgeport, Cathedral of Praise COGIC, Int’l, where Newell was a deacon.

“He definitely understood the vital importance of voting and keeping politicians accountable,” Brackeen told the Independent. ​“We would always have conversations about the political state of our nation, state, and city. He was very funny and a helper of folks in need. … The State of Connecticut has truly lost a civic soldier, and he will truly be missed.”

Sandra Harris-Pittman, the co-owner of Sandra’s Next Generation Soul Food on Congress Avenue, said on Facebook that Newell was a staple of her and her husband Miguel’s restaurant.

“I’m still overwhelmed and shocked by the unexpected passing of my brother, Daniel Newell aka ​‘Danny,’” she wrote. ​“No we are not related by blood, but he’s been a friend of the Pittman family for more years than I can remember. Not only has he helped with raising my four children and three grandchildren, he also dedicated his free time with helping out at the restaurant.

“He was a dependable, caring family man. He was big on family. And He loved the Lord!!! I’m going to miss hearing him listen to praise & worship music in the dark as I climbed the steps to the 2nd floor. I’m definitely going to miss our early morning and late night conversations in the kitchen where he gave me valuable insights on different aspects of life. He was good like that. And that’s why my husband Miguel lovingly nicknamed him ​‘Counselor.’”

Miguel Pittman, Jr., Sandra and Miguel’s son, told the Independent that Newell had a host of pre-existing medical conditions on top of his ultimate contraction of the coronavirus. Pittman said that Newell had a heart condition and diabetes. He said the coronavirus appeared to be one last cruel health struggle his family’s dear friend had to deal with.

Howard K. Hill Funeral Home on Chapel Street hosted a drive-through visitation for Newell on Saturday.

One of the many painful aspects of this pandemic, Pittman said, is that friends and family can’t properly grieve, because social and physical distancing mandates make a full funeral service all but impossible.

“I was really stunned,” State Sen. Gary Winfield told the Independent about Newell’s passing. He said he had seen Newell post an update on Facebook earlier in the day on April 21. Then, later that same day, he found out that Newell had died.

Winfield served on the board of Empower New Haven with Newell. ​“He was somebody who really cared deeply about the community and the direction of its leadership,” he said.

According to Newell’s Facebook page, the late youth advocate and Hill activist’s final social media posts encouraged New Haveners to take the threat of Covid-19 seriously. He re-posted one message that read: ​“I’d rather stay in Quarantine for the whole Summer, just as long as I don’t have to bury one of my family members, kids, or love ones!”

“Cities like New Haven need people like Danny,” Fernandez told the Independent by email Saturday after he learned about his late friend’s sudden death.

“They are the glue that holds us together without ever seeking attention or personal advantage. He was the best kind of friend, a gentleman who made you a better person in every conversation.”

In his Facebook post, Lyga said that Newell was an easy pick to receive the Children’s Center of Hamden’s first Lifetime Achievement Award in 2016.

“It was one of the easiest decisions I was ever part of making. As those of us who knew him are aware, Danny was a very spiritual man with enormous faith. It sustained him throughout his life and I have no doubt it brought him comfort during his final days and hours.

“We who remain are left to grieve his loss, and in honor of his memory continue on with an unwavering commitment to the betterment of the lives of all the children we interact with each day. REST IN PEACE, my old friend.”

See below, or click here, for Newell’s full obituary.

Daniel Newell: December 28, 1963 — April 21, 2020

Daniel ​“Danny” Newell, a native of New Haven, Connecticut transitioned into his eternal resting place on Tuesday, April 21, 2020. Danny was a lifelong resident of New Haven. A graduate of Lee High School (1981), he attended Morris Brown College in Atlanta, GA before launching a career that expanded more than three decades in youth leadership and development at the Children’s Center of Hamden. His commitment to community service and advocacy kept him actively engaged in numerous efforts designed to build the social and economic capacity of individuals and families living at the margins of society. His unceasing love for children and youth continued even during his illness. He was consecrated Deacon at Turner’s Faith Temple, Bridgeport, Connecticut.

Danny leaves to cherish his memory three sons, C.J. and Malcolm Greene, Richard Sykes; four brothers, Van Spruill, Jr., Walter (Andrienna) Lockley, Jr., Reginald Menafee and Tyron Dennis; 11 sisters, Bonita Newell, Jocelyn (Nathaniel) Fagan, Tanya, Selina, Michelle, Robin, Pamela Spruill; Tracey (Troy) Menafee, Brenda Moore, Vanessa (Raymond) Chambers, and Vanesha Warden; and a host of loving and supportive aunts, uncles, nephews, nieces, cousins, god children, extended family and exceptionally loyal friends.

Danny was predeceased by his parents, Dorothy Lockley and Van Spruill, infant daughter, Grace Lynn, sisters, Alicia Letterlough, Sheila Spruill and Miss Monique Lewis.

He will be greatly missed. A memorial service will be forthcoming.