With deep sadness and profound love, we announce the passing of Danen Scot Connell, who left this world on April 14, 2025, just shy of his 74th birthday. Danen was born on May 4, 1951, in Regina, Saskatchewan, to this hero and role model, Robert Connell, and his mother, Mary Connell.
A natural athlete with unmatched determination, Danen made his mark as a wrestler for the University of Regina Cougars. His incredible strength, discipline, and competitive spirit led him to become a GPAC conference all-star. He bested numerous champions throughout his career and earned an invitation to compete at the Olympic level freestyle wrestling, an honor that reflected both his talent and tenacity.
On August 24, 1973, Danen married the love of his life, Katherine Connell. Their 56-year journey together was one of unwavering support, shared laughter, road trips, and deep affection. Katherine was his anchor, his peace, and his constant source of joy — as he put it “they were together like two stripes on a barber pole”.
Danen was a devoted father to Katherine Danielle Connell and Christopher Scott Connell, born in 1977 and 1980 respectively. He poured his heart into fatherhood, never missing a game, a school event, or an opportunity to guide, encourage, and love his children unconditionally. His pride in their achievements, both on the field and in life, was immeasurable.
After earning his Bachelor of Education from the University of Regina in 1977, Danen dedicated 42 years to teaching. For 25 years, he worked with incarcerated youth at the Paul Dojack Youth Centre in Regina, Saskatchewan, where he was more than an educator — he was often the only father figure his students had ever known. He continued his mission to uplift and inspire for another 17 years on the Morley First Nations reservation in Alberta where he won many awards for his life’s work. His impact as a teacher and mentor is a legacy that will endure in the lives he changed.
Danen leaves behind his beloved wife Katherine, his cherished children Danielle (Andrew) and Chris (Katelyn), his five adoring grandchildren Chloe, Hyden, Ava, Abby and Zoe, his two brothers Darrell (Karen) and Lance Connell along with his extended family of in-laws, nieces, nephews and friends. Each of them carries a part of his spirit, humor and generous heart.
To know Danen was to be made better by him. He has an extraordinary gift for making people laugh, lifting spirits, and giving selflessly to everyone around him. His life was a living example of compassion, strength and service.
We will miss him beyond words, but we are grateful for the love he gave, the lessons he taught, and the light he brought to all who knew him. The world is undoubtedly better because Danen was in it.
13 Comments
I am so sorry to hear od the passing of my friend, Danen. My prayers go out to his Family in this time of deep sorrow !! Rest in Peace, Friend..
He spoke very fondly of you Aubrey – sounded like quite the bromance back in the day! 🙂
We were saddened to hear of Danen’s passing. Our deepest condolences to you all. Ron (Ace) and Diane Bailey
May your family find peace and comfort knowing his legacy lives on through those he touched.
Rick and I were deeply saddened to hear of Danen’s passing. Our hearts and prayers are with you—Kathy, Chris, Danielle, and all—at this difficult time. Danen and I worked together as teachers in youth corrections for several years. We did not agree on everything, but he was the best mentor I ever had. One thing we did agree on was the profound importance of a quality education—for all students, but especially for incarcerated youth. I will remember Danen as a fiercely independent man with a chivalrous flair and sharp wit. I will (truly) miss his relentless rants about taxes, fascism, religion, stupidity, and everything DJT. Danen, I so hoped to be able to see you one last time. But alas, it was not meant to be. So long, my friend. May you rest in peace forever.
Morgan and I were very shocked to hear of Danen’s passing. We haven’t seen him for many years but we have many fond memories of our times spent with Danen and Kathy during university years and while Morgan worked with Danen an Dojack.
Our sincere condolences to the family, he will be sadly missed.
I am so very sorry to hear of Danen’s passing. He was a great man and a great teacher. I had the fortune of teaching alongside him for his years in Morley. He taught me so much and I consider him one of my greatest mentors. He was always there to provide a helping hand, or a joke to lighten the mood. I will fondly remember all the floor hockey games we played with students on Fridays after school. Rest in Peace Danen. I will do my best to carry forward all you taught me.
The last of the ‘old school’ teacher. I’m so disappointed that I’ve just been informed of Danen’s passing, I would have payed my proper respects to him. He was loved by all teachers and students at Morley Community School, now Mini Thni Community School. I have so many stories and memories of him from being his colleague and also stories I’ve heard of him from when he lived in Regina. My wife’s uncle told me that Danen was his teacher maybe 30-40 years ago and taught him how to play the European Handball. I remember him always talking about his wife and daughter and he would always show us videos of his son playing basketball. For the record, teachers didn’t have a choice to watch, if he rolled in with the VCR, we were watching, no choice given. He was a proud man, proud of himself and extremely proud of his family. Danen may be gone, but his name will always live on in Mini Thni. He will be missed.
Too the family of Danen we just heard of his passing and sending prayers and condolences out to you all
He was truly loved out here at the Morley Community School and will be dearly missed by all students that he taught and there were many and with the staff with whom and made lasting friendships with
We at the Stoney Education Authority are so very sad to hear of the passing of Danen. I sent the following out to our staff in remembrance of the great man he was and how much he will be missed.
In Memory of Danen Connell
A Mentor, a Teammate, and a Quiet Giant in Education
Yesterday I learned of the passing of Danen Connell—a colleague, a coach, a teacher, and for me, one of my greatest mentors. Many of us here within the SEA organization worked with him and if you didn’t get a chance to work with him I hope this lets you know a little about who he was.
Danen was an exceptional educator—he taught High School Social Studies at MTCS for 17 years with the kind of depth, integrity, and compassion that left a mark on every student who sat in his class. But it wasn’t just the curriculum he taught—it was the way he made students feel seen. His classroom was a place of connection, and often, laughter—because Danen’s humour was unmatched. He could turn a difficult day around with a few perfectly chosen words, often said with that knowing grin of his. He tried to hide his huge heart behind a sometimes gruff demeanour but all who knew him also knew what his true nature was.
He was also a fixture of the school community in every sense. Whether coaching basketball, organizing school activities, or supporting countless extracurricular events, Danen was always there—literally the first to arrive and the last to leave. That wasn’t just a habit; it was a reflection of his heart. He gave his full self to his work every single day, and he did it without fanfare.
We both started work at MTCS at the same time and as the “new guy,” to the game I couldn’t have dreamed of a better person to learn from—someone who truly knew the game, and played it with both skill and soul. For me personally, Danen showed up during some of the most difficult moments of my early career. When I was still trying to find my footing, he offered stability. He shared not just his experience and wisdom, but his time. He listened.
Danen had a kind of relentless energy that was hard to match, and an even harder work ethic. But what stood out even more was his quiet devotion—to students, to colleagues, to the greater purpose of education. He didn’t need recognition. He led by example.
We may not all mark this moment publicly, but I believe we owe it to those like Danen to pause. To remember. To carry forward what they gave us.
So here’s to Danen Connell. Thank you for the lessons, the laughter, and the light. I will miss talking about challenges, politics and our musings about the Calgary Flames. I will miss the after school floor hockey games and your unwavering passion for your work but will carry all the happy memories with me for the rest of my life.
You mattered. And you will be missed.
I wish to you all within SEA that you can also find a mentor, like I had with Danen, and that this person can help light your path forward. I will do my best to carry on his good work in the ways that I can.
It has been awhile since I heard the sad news of my dear friend’s passing. It was a great honor to have Danen as friend. Our time at University brings back some great memories.
He was a great athlete and outstanding wrestler. Danen had great sense of humour which gave him the ability to tell awesome jokes.
Above all his great attributes is the fact that he was a fantastic family man. He was a loyal friend and a very accomplished professional.
I regret being somewhat late in writing this condolence, but I have been thinking and remembering Danen since I heard of his passing.
I will miss him .
Just found out about D couple days ago… didn’t have the words and still dont! He has always been in my thoughts. Life at Morley was always a hoot with him in the mix! No words can express your loss D! Kathy, Chris and family…
Hugs and healing…. joys and laughter with every thought of him!
My brother and I were students of Danen’s throughout our high school years. 2010-2015. Out in Morley Community School.
He was truly the best teacher in Social Studies, a tremendous basketball coach, and mentor. We will remember his sarcastic humour, and his enthusiasm.
He worked along side with my late grandmother Catherine Powderface.
We are truly sadden to hear of his passing, we send our deepest condolences to the family and friends, and all those who knew him.
Always will be one of the best teachers!