THOMASTON — Daniel Phillip Allan, 61, died unexpectedly June 27, 2014.

Born in Toledo, Ohio, on May 21, 1953, he was the sixth of 10 children born to Russell and Lucille Connolly Allan.

Dan graduated from Cardinal Stritch High School. On Oct. 10, 1981, he married Kay Niswander of Gibsonburg, Ohio. He worked at the Toledo Museum of Art. In 1989 Dan and Kay moved to Thomaston with their two young daughters, Sara and Jessie. He worked briefly at the Farnsworth Art Museum in Rockland, then became a dispatcher with Thomaston Emergency Medical Services.

He began studies at the University of Maine at Orono, receiving his Bachelor of Science in education in 2001. He taught history, language arts and science in the Thomaston School District until his untimely death. Dan was a beloved teacher and cared deeply about his students, interested in both their emotional and intellectual development. This led Dan and Kay to become foster parents, and to the eventual adoption of Jerry and Holly Ames-Allan in 2006.

Dan was fully involved in the community, the schools, working backstage for musicals and helping people in a wide variety of ways. He thoroughly enjoyed working with the Thomaston Fourth of July celebration every year. A friend to all, he was willing to help at the drop of a hat – whether moving a piano or plowing a driveway, setting up fireworks or teaching Sunday school. His passion for history took him to Gettysburg and other historic places. He loved to make history come alive for his students through field trips and visits with local historians.

Other than his parents, Dan was predeceased by a grandson, Joshua Daniel Cowperthwaite; and a brother, Pat Allen. He is survived by his beloved wife of 32 years, Kay E. Allan; four children, Sara Cowperthwaite and her husband, Mark, of Waldo, Jessica Allan of Bangor, Jeremiah Ames-Allan of Rockland and Holly Ames-Allan of St. George; six grandchildren, Nathaniel Cowperthwaite of Thomaston, Virginia, Naomi, Samuel and Josiah Cowperthwaite of Waldo, and Jeremiah Ames-Allan Jr. of Rockland; eight siblings, Mike and Vicki Allan of Long Beach, Calif., Tim and Joanne Allan of Toledo, Ohio, Mary and Don Poppe of Port Clinton, Ohio, Barb and Tom Haydock of Toledo, Ohio, Kenny and Denise Allan of Curtice, Ohio, Margaret Gregor of Toledo, Ohio, Russell and Vickie Allan of Toledo, Ohio, and  Joe Allan of Bowling Green, Ohio; his mother-in-law, Joanne Niswander of Bluffton, Ohio; several nieces, nephews, cousins, brothers and sisters-in-law.

Relatives and friends are invited to visit Wednesday, July 2 from 6 to 8 p.m. at Burpee, Carpenter & Hutchins Funeral Home, 110 Limerock St. in Rockland. A celebration of Dan's life will be held Thursday, July 3 at 2 p.m. at Oceanside West High School, 47 Valley St. in Thomaston. The Rev. Paul Munro will officiate.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to either the Thomaston Fire Department, 6 Knox St., Thomaston, ME 04861, or the Thomaston 4th of July Committee, P.O. Box 149, Thomaston, ME 04861.