David Wendell Hyatt

David Wendell Hyatt, age 85, passed away peacefully on June 28, 2026, surrounded by his loving family. David was a teacher, actor, writer, pilot, sailor, builder of things, friend, father, and husband.

He was born on August 22, 1940, in Norwood, Massachusetts, to the late Merritt and Violet (Ramey) Hyatt. David grew up with a vibrant spirit and a natural gift for leadership, graduating in 1958 from Monson High School in Monson, Massachusetts. During his high school years, he was an athlete, an actor, the sports editor of the yearbook, and president of the French Club. He was also a member of the Order of DeMolay, where he held the distinctive positions of Master Councilor of the Pioneer Valley Chapter and Master Councilor of the Western Jurisdiction of Massachusetts.

David pursued his passion for education and the arts at North Adams State College, (now the Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts), earning a Bachelor of Science in Education. He was elected President of the Student Body and President of the Student Government Association of the State Colleges of Massachusetts. In recognition of his outstanding leadership and academic excellence, he was listed in "Who's Who Among Students in American Colleges and Universities." At commencement, David and fellow student Carol Seymour were fittingly awarded the prestigious Faculty Prize for being "the Students Contributing Most to the College in Scholarship and Leadership During the Last Four Years."

Along with his academic achievements at North Adams State College, David treasured the lifelong friends he made there – particularly his great friend, Don Wilkinson.

Beyond his academic and theatrical pursuits, David dreamed of becoming a pilot. Undeterred by the high cost of flight lessons, he used his signature ingenuity to trade his time cleaning planes and doing odd jobs at the North Adams Airport for flight time and lessons, eventually earning his commercial pilot's license.

In 1972, David accepted an offer to become the Vice Principal of Granby High School. During his tenure at Granby, David brought his passion for theater to the student body by building a highly successful drama program.

David wanted his students to experience the magic of Broadway. He launched an expansive experiential program that took two busloads of about 100 students into New York City four times a year.

While teaching at Granby, his creative talents also found a home in Sturbridge, Massachusetts. He established The Unicorn, a summer theater, and wrote, produced, cast, and directed the legendary "Yule Log Celebration”, for the Public House. That production beautifully integrated multicultural holiday storytelling and folk music and ran successfully at the Public House for 30 consecutive years.

To further his education in theater, David earned a Master of Fine Arts degree in Acting and Directing from Smith College. After graduation, David took a two-year sabbatical from teaching and moved with his family to New York City to "pound the pavement" and try to play with the "big guys" in the heart of the theater world.

In time, he became a highly sought-after professional actor in the city, acting in several stage productions as well as in a multitude of national and regional television commercials. His trademark niche was in corporate training films that perfectly melded his unique skillsets as an actor, director, and teacher.

In the last years of his life, David had the good fortune to reconnect with his dear college chum, Don Wilkinson. This was such a timely gift as Don brought back a flood of memories and stories for which we will be forever grateful. This past year, as a testament to David’s lifelong achievements in education, Don nominated David for the Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts Alumni Association’s Outstanding Educator Emeritus Award. In April, David learned that he had been selected to receive that honor. In his acceptance letter he wrote, “Reflecting back on one’s life….it became clear to me, that my focus of lifelong learning and training as an educator…. [has] remained a constant part of who I am. Seeing my life in this perspective has been deeply fulfilling.”

David, in many ways, was his own form of medical miracle. Despite being the life of the party, with a nickname of “Great Intensity 1”, and a 50 + year smoker with the lungs to prove it, David lived a full life with a mind as sharp as a tack. He never felt sorry for himself as he required more assistance, and he fully acknowledged, at every opportunity, that it was his life story that got him there.

David and his family are deeply indebted to the doctors and nurses at Hartford Hospital, his “resort of choice”, where he got exceptional care; and to all the doctors, nurses and providers, with whom he became very close, at his “home away from home”, the Fresenius Dialysis Center in Newington, Connecticut.

David is survived by his loving wife, Darlene; his son, Jaime and his wife, Lisa; his daughter, Rosalynn; his three sisters, Nancy Shorette and husband, George, Linda Mancini, Debra Baer and husband Ricky. He also leaves behind two grandchildren, Ashley and Annie; three great grandchildren, Ella, Mason, and Hannah; along with many nieces, nephews, cousins, extended family members; two cats, Asher and Shanna; granddog, Tater; and countless dear friends whose lives were forever enriched by knowing him.

A Celebration of David’s Life will be held on Sunday, September 27th from noon -5pm at the home of Jaime and Lisa Hyatt, 102 Hillside Avenue, Holyoke, Massachusetts. Sharing of Memories begins at 2:30 pm. Food and beverages will be served.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to: The Nature Conservancy, The Entertainment Community Fund, or to your favorite charity.