Doug Dauz: “will be sorely missed by all.” CMS photoGrief counselors went to Westport’s Coleytown Middle School today following announcement of the death of Douglas P. Dauz, a popular physical education teacher who had been ill only a short time.
Dauz, 52, was diagnosed with lung cancer only six weeks ago and died Wednesday night at Norwalk Hospital, according to school staff members. He had been associated with Coleytown Middle for almost 30 years.
“Several children went home crying,” said one teacher, who added that the news was especially crushing coming only hours before tonight’s Coleytown Middle School graduation ceremony. Three grief counselors were on hand at the school during the day.
“The entire school community mourns the loss of Doug Dauz,” said Schools Superintendent Elliott Landon. “Beloved by colleagues, students and parents, he will be sorely missed by all.”
Dauz joined Coleytown’s special education center in 1976 as an aide and became a physical education teacher in 1991, a schools spokeswoman said.
Born in Queens, N.Y., on Jan. 17, 1953, he was the son of the late Joseph and Josephine (Inderato) Dauz. He grew up in Bayside, N.Y., where he attended Sacred Heart School and graduated from Bayside High School.
Dauz was a graduate of Southern Connecticut State University and did graduate work at New York University.
In addition to his Coleytown teaching duties, he was an advocate for the physically challenged and had been a longtime coach for the Cerebral Palsy Olympics.
Dauz loved to work in the outdoors and was an accomplished stone mason. He had a passion for his Yellow Boxster.
In addition to his wife, Nancy (Palladine) Dauz, a teacher at Coleytown Middle School, survivors include two sons, Zaachery, 20, and Jacob Dauz, 13, both of Sandy Hook, Conn.; a brother, Steven Dauz of Hicksville, N.Y.; a sister, Diane Bassin of Manhattan, N.Y., an aunt, Sandra Andinolfi of Port Jefferson, N.Y; his best friend, Scott Alvarez of Oakland, Calif., and several nieces and nephews.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 11 a.m. Tuesday in St. Rose of Lima Church, 46 Church Hill Road, Newtown, Conn. Interment will follow in Newtown Village Cemetery.
Friends may call Monday from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. at the Honan Funeral Home, 58 Main St. Newtown. Contributions may be made to the Douglas P. Dauz Memorial Fund, c/o Coleytown Middle School, 255 North Ave., Westport, CT 06880. A memorial service will be held at Coleytown Middle School at a later date.
Mr. Dauz was a great gym teacher. I had him for all three years when I attended Coleytown Middle School, and he was a great teacher to have for gym. I looked foward to gym all the time because I knew that Mr. Dauz would have something interesting for us to play. My favorite quality about him was that he made me all of my classmates laugh. Mr. Dauz and his wife were to extremly friendly people and I give his loved ones my heart while they go through this mouring time.
Mr. Dauz was definetly the best gym teacher I ever had and I’m going to miss him tremdously. He was always there for a great laugh and was willing to do so much for the community. Mr. Dauz you will always be in our hearts. Rest in Peace xo
I LOVE YOU MR. DAUZ!!!!!!!!!!
Mr. Dauz was an amazing person and teacher. He also made the day brighter with his fun-loving spirit and personality. He made an impact on everyone he touched and will be remembered by all. Coleytown and Westport won’t be the same without him. Mr. Dauz truly is the definition of a shining person.
RIP Mr. Dauz
mr. dauz was more than a gym teacher, he was a friend of many. he will truely be missed. we love you
Doug was a special man. A car enthusiast to the enth degree, Mr. Dauz wore a huge smile under that big mustache each day of his life. Coleytown has lost an important member of our family. We love you Doug, thanks for teaching us how to teach, smile, and keep things light.
i never had mr. dauz…but everytime i saw him he was always smiling. He always brightened up everyone’s day and had such a kind spirit. Everyone will miss him SO much. RIP Mr. Dauz.
diaz, you’ll be missed here in amongst all students in coleytown. i had you for one year, but that year was somethin else.
RIP
WE ALL LOVE YOU MR.DAUZ
gym class will never be the same!
we miss you soo much!
Rest In Peace
you always be in our memoriess
<3
Mr. Dauz meant so much to all of us… even if he wasnt our teacher he brightened up our days no matter what. How can we forget that huge smile that accompanied his huge heart? Rest in Peace Mr. Dauz, watch over us, as we will be missing you for all the years to come. Parting is such sweet sorrow.. we love you!!
Mr.Dauz was one of the happiest and loving people at CMS. The Westport school community has definatly lost one of its best. Mr.Dauz you will always be remembered for heart of each student that you touched. Thank you for everything you brought to Coleytown.
mr. dauz was one of the most cheerful and happy person at CMS. he always had a smile on his face. He loved CMS very much and cared so much about his students. i will miss him very much and he will always be in our hearts.
Mr Dauz was one of the greatest people I’ve met. Not only a great teacher but a great mentor and person. Everytime I went down to change in the CMS locker room and I could always stop by and have a quick chat. He always listened and gave a smart, comical response. Its a shame this happened to such a great person. Love you Dauz.
-galen blumenthal
Both of my children were fortunate to have Mr. Dauz for PE. He broadened their horizons, encouraged them to try new things, and was their greatest fan. He was a teacher who truly knew his students. Mr. Dauz helped so many children in his years at Coleytown Middle School—he was greatly loved and will be greatly missed. My thoughts and prayers are with his wife and sons.
Mr. Dauz was one of the best teachers I have ever been honored to be taught by. He taught me so many more lessons than how to shoot a slap shot, or how to bench press. He taught me that although a little game of softball may be more than just a game to me, if I enjoy myself and try to have fun, in spite of a loss, everything in life turns out for the better. He showed me that having fun in life, and turning it into a game is the right choice. He told me that if I look at everything I do as an error, or a hit, then I just play my game of softball and look for that 7th inning stretch to win my game. He was one of the most inspirational people in my life and taught me that if you smile through everything, in the end it will be alright. I love you Dauz, forever man.
Sparkling Like a Jem,
Dana Levy
You’ll be missed here, by all Coleytowners past and present.
Tell tupac I said hey.
See you in heaven
dauz…i had you for one year and it was a great year…you may have thought i fooled around too much and you gave me my only B in gym ever, but thats ok. i deserved it. You still were the best teacher cuz you were funny and kind. RIP DAUZ
peter…tupac is still alive…
my condolences to mrs. dauz and the rest of the dauz family. good luck.
-aubie
dauz…u own
mrs. dauz good luck
dauz u was great gym teacher…u wanted us to have fun
ull be missed
love,
dan
The doug dauz award has never seemed so honorable to get as it does now. he nwas a kind gentle man and anyone who can receive an award named after him should feel honored. i remember my last convvo with dauz, it was a comedic one. we both shared laughs before saying goodbye, as it was my 2nd to last day at coleytown. i wish i could go back to that moment and have another last convo with him. i had dauz in 6th and 7th grade, but i still saw dauz everyday in eighth grade, in the locker room and at intermurals. he had a certain charisma, and there was no way you couldnt like that man.
RIP DAUZ
U THE MAN
Mr. Dauz was always a great person. As an immature middle school kid, he taught me what it was to take responsibility for your actions and how to be a good person. I will also miss Mr. Dauz for his influence on me, as he was the one who taught me what it was to be a real athlete. I will always remember Mr. Dauz for being a great guy, a great mentor, and a great teacher. Rest in peace.
A master teacher as far as I am concerned. He worked diligently with my special-needs son so he could enjoy excercise and sport. Doug developed innovative routines and challenges so thay my son felt part of a program rather than apart. My son had
a lot of fun with Doug—when it was otherwise in very short supply.
Mr. Dauz was never my gym teacher but he was Mrs. Pfieffer’s (my homeroom teacher) assisstant homeroom teacher in 7th grade.
I will always remember his laugh: so loud and warm. We had a great homeroom and I know he is going to be missed for a very long time.
My deepest sympathy for his family and friends.
~Hannah
Mr. Dauz was the coolest gym teacher at CMS and one of the best teachers. He could really get through to the students.
Rest In Peace Mr.Dauz
Mr. Dauz meant sooo incredibly much to all of us and had a great impact on our lives. He was not only an amazing teacher, but a very special, loved person. He had a sence of humor, was very fun, and overall a consistant and caring person to all. I’m graduating Coleytown Middle school and found out on Thursday morning after our finals were over, of his death. It was strange to see half of our school in tears, and it was a complete shock to all of us. One minute he was there with a smile telling us not to be late for gym, and the next he was gone…It was horrible and dwelled on us through graduation, but we assured ourselves being the amazing person he was, Mr. Dauz would want us to enjoy our big day. All I can say, and I think I speak for all of us, is that we miss you mr. Dauz, and our lives truly won’t be the same without you.
The people that Doug Dauz has touched through the years, have left messages that really do sum up the amazing man that he was. I had first hand knowledge of this, sharing an office with him for 3 years. Through a very difficult time in my life, he was more than a co-worker, he was a friend, a big brother, and a father all in one. Then news of his passing is so heartbreaking to me, I am at a loss of what to do or say. Through all my difficulties, & errors he never stopped believing in me. Doug was always positive, and knew the potential that I possessed. I can only hope to fulfull that potential he saw in me, and someday become half the man that he was. Until then I will always smile when I think about him, and the enjoyable hours we spent together in our office. My deepest simpathy goes to Nancy and his boys. The world has lost a great man.
I Love You Doug,
-Dan McCaw
Mr. Dauz was an amazing person and teacher. He also made the day brighter with his fun-loving spirit and personality. He made an impact on everyone he touched and will be remembered by all. Coleytown and Westport won’t be the same without him. Mr. Dauz truly is the definition of a shining person.
Mr. Dauz was the best teacher I ever had. I had him for all my three years in Coleytown Middle School as my gym teacher. He encouraged me and taught me everything he knew to the best of his abbilities. Mr. Dauz will be greatly missed, but forever in our hearts! I love you Mr. Dauz, you’re the best!!!
-anna
Mr. Dauz was not only the best gym teacher but a friend to many of the students he had. He will always be remembered at Coleytown and our thoughts and prayers go out to Mrs. Dauz and her sons. We love you Mr. Dauz, thanks for everything!
Mr. Dauz was not only the best gym teacher but a friend to many of the students he had. He will always be remembered at Coleytown and our thoughts and prayers go out to Mrs. Dauz and her sons. We love you Mr. Dauz, thanks for everything!
Doug,
You know first hand, there is no greater joy in life than laughter. You made every single day a day to look forward to. Sharing an office with you and teaching with you for the last two years allowed us the chance to quickly build a great friendship. I never before had a friend who was the same age as my parents, but your sense of humor and caring personality made it easy to be your friend. I will surely miss your jokes, eating between classes, conference calls, gortex, “star wars”, eastern mt sports, helping you figure out the computer and pretending to understand your talks on stocks and cars, etc… But on a more serious note, I can’t repay you for your constant encouragement and mentoring you provided to help me develop as a professional. I’ve been blessed to have the unique opportunity to work with the best. “Uncle Doug,” you are THE MAN. Thanks for all you did for me and our kids. You’re always with us.
I never met Mr. Dauz, but i am good friends with both of his sons. I have heard a lot about him and i’m sorry i never got the chance to meet him. My heart goes out to The Dauz Family.
really nice guy, even though i have never had him as a teacher i have sat down and had talks with him he is such a funny guy and really was involeved with his community
Like so many others, I have also had the privilege of being touched by Doug Dauz. I was fortunate enough to have gotten my start in teaching when I was hired as Doug’s full-time substitute in the spring of 2002.
I had known Doug for several years prior to that, however, when he was a client at the Newtown Health and Fitness Club. Whenever Doug showed up at the “club” he always carried with him a warm light that seemed to lift the mood of our entire staff and everyone at the gym. He was always the answer to a bad moment or a tough day.
So upon being hired at CMS Doug and I became close very quickly. He took me under his wing and provided me with the foundation I needed to become a good teacher. In devoting the time and energy into me that he did, his light touched me even more directly. I quickly learned that Doug was a special person whose sincerity and selflessness stretched far beyond one’s normal scope. I will always remember the things he said to me and the way he spoke.
Doug was more than a mentor. He was a friend, a colleague, and as Dan McCaw put it, a father figure. Doug was unconditional in his feelings towards others and never passed at the opportunity to share his light.
Doug, you will truly be missed. And as the sun shines on the fields of CMS, so will you. We will all think of you when we are warmed by the light, and we will remember the security, the comfort, and the smile you always provided.
-Rick Stakel
Mr. Dauz,
You were a great P.E. teacher. I had you this year and you always pushed me to do harder. When I wanted to stop running, you were always there to yell at me to keep going. You always gave me the motivation I needed to keep trying and not to stop. CMS truely has lost a valued member of our community. You were an excellent gym coach and you always made the 42 minutes when we had gym fun. You almost always had a smile on and brightned everyone’s day.
My condolences to Mrs. Dauz, Jacob, and Zachary. I am trying to make arrangements to go to the funeral.
We will never forget you Mr. Dauz.
http://www.michaelfeinberg.com/dauz.htm
-Robbie F
For Doug,
I knew Doug from the time he was two years old. Doug, his siblings and his parents were very special to me and my family. They were our next door neighbors in Bayside. I spent alot of time with the Dauz family. I got married and moved to New Jersey when Doug was twelve.
I have wonderful memories of Doug, the boy. He was adorable, loving, fun and sometimes a handful. I knew of Doug’s many accomplishments through the years including his education, his marriage to Nancy, the birth of his sons, and his career. His mother was very proud.
I am touched by the outpouring of love, gratitude and admiration for Doug by his students, colleagues and the community. His sudden illness and death is a shock. I am very sad.
My heartfelt sympathy to Nancy, Zach and Jacob, and to Diane and Steve.
To Doug – Rest In Peace. Who would believe that you would be seeing the folks, yours and mine so soon!
Arlene
Doug was a friend, mentor and cheerleader for our son Peter who died in 1980 of Duchenne Dystrophy. He invented a physical education program for him and his electric wheelchair and encouraged him in the Special Olympics. Mary-Lou and I will always be grateful for his care, attention, understanding and good humor which meant so much to Pete and to us as a family. Our heartfelt condolences to his family. Larry Weisman
My husband Larry and I are devestated to hear of Doug Dauz sudden and untimely death. For a few precious years Doug was our son Peter’s dear friend and special education teacher before Pete’s death in 1980. Doug was, in addition to a man of infinite good humor, intelligence, committment, energy and compassion, an exceptionally talented special physical education teacher, inventing demanding, delightful and competitive games for children who were handicapped or, as was the case with our son, confined to a wheelchair. Until Doug came into Pete’s life via the special education program at Coleytown, Pete could never play with other children; instead, he was the kid who kept score while others played, and he resented it. Doug gave Peter the gift of play, of normalcy and of self-esteem.
Doug was also a friend to me and Larry. He once lived in our house for a long weekend, taking on the stress of our lives—of interrupted sleep and heavy lifting (by then Peter weighed 130 pounds)—so that Larry and I could enjoy a break.
We will never forget Doug Dauz. We will never stop being grateful for his special capacity for love and play. We send our deepest sympathies to his family. Mary-Lou and Larry Weisman
Mr. Dauz,
he was a great person not only a teacher but a great friend to everyone in school. i will always remember him putting a smile on everyone’s face!! You will never be forgotten!!
R.I.P Mr. Dauz
love always and forever,
sam