Daniel R. Stockwell, 74, passed away unexpectedly on August 14, 2025. He will be remembered for the love he gave his family, his lifelong passion for golf, and the many ways he contributed to his community.

Danny was the beloved husband of Annette (Fleming) Stockwell. Together they shared more than 30 years of love, friendship, and laughter, building a life filled with family, traditions, and shared adventures. Nothing made Danny happier than holidays with the whole family gathered together!

When he married Annette, he also welcomed three children into his life, Laurie (Hamel) Bentley of Carnesville, GA; Katie (Hamel) Zannini of Danielson, CT; and Thomas Hamel and his wife Labecka of Brooklyn, CT, and cared for them as if they were his own. He was a proud grandfather to Katrina Zannini of East Haven, CT; Emily Zannini of San Antonio, TX; and Logan Hamel, Joseph Person, and Avery Person of Brooklyn. Danny is also survived by his sisters, Clare Michon and her husband Lee of Canterbury, CT, and Ellen Mizeur and her husband Leon of Springfield, IL, along with many nieces, nephews, and great nieces and nephews he was deeply proud of.

Danny grew up in Norwich, CT, attending Elizabeth Street School, Kelly Junior High, and graduating from Norwich Free Academy in 1969. He was active in his NFA Class of ’69 activities and enjoyed staying connected with a great group of classmates and friends throughout his life. Outgoing and social, Danny had a natural way of making people feel welcome, whether they were lifelong friends or someone he had just met. He went on to Quinnipiac College before earning his degree from Central Connecticut State University in 1978..

In 1971, Danny joined the U.S. Navy, serving until honorably discharged in 1975. He was stationed in Asmara, Eritrea, an assignment he spoke of often and remembered with great affection.

Danny worked as a dispatcher for Drake Petroleum/XtraMart out of Providence RI for 24 years, and later for Eagle Transport in NC, at the Goldsboro Municipal Golf Club in NC, and then most recently at River Ridge Golf Club in CT.

Sports were a constant in Danny’s life. He played baseball for St. Peter and Paul from 1960 to 1967, but golf was his greatest passion. He started playing at age 10, became All-Capital District Conference at NFA in 1968, served as team captain in 1969, and led his team to a conference title and individual championship. At Quinnipiac, he was named MVP as a freshman in 1970.

He started to become a champion in 1968 when he won the NGC Presidents Cup. While in the Navy, Danny competed in Ethiopia, Germany, and the All-Way Championship in 1973 and 1974. After returning home, he became a five-time Norwich Golf Club Champion and won the Rose Arts Festival in 1971. While living in North Carolina, he won the Senior Club Championship twice. Over his lifetime, he proudly achieved 10 holes-in-one!

Danny also enjoyed duckpin bowling, competing in leagues in Norwich, Plainfield, and Mansfield. He served as Tournament Chairman, Board of Governors member, and President of the Members Club at Norwich Golf Club; President of the Norwich Softball League; life member and House Chairman of the Thamesville Athletic Club; and President of the Norwich Sports Hall of Fame, where he was inducted in 1998 just like his father who was inducted in 1986.

Early in his relationship with Annette, Danny once told her, “I love golf.” She replied, “Ok,” but he smiled and said, “No, I mean I LOVE golf!” That mix of humor, honesty, and enthusiasm summed him up well - a man who cared deeply about the things and people he loved, and who gave both his full attention.

As much as sports meant to him, his family meant more. When grandchildren came along, his life became even fuller. He went to their games, celebrated their accomplishments, and shared their stories with genuine pride. Some of his happiest days were the summer picnics when his sisters and their families came together, many of them traveling from Illinois. Those days were filled with laughter and the joy of everyone being together.

Danny will be remembered for his love of family, his dedication to the game of golf, and the many ways he quietly gave back to his community.

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