Dayne Tonge-Benjamin 30, of East Hartford, passed away on Monday, August 1, 2022.

He was born February 24, 1992 in Grandbay, Dominica, son of Joyce Benjamin and Glenroy Tonge. At age 8, he migrated to Miami with his father, thus earning the nickname “Miami”, and would later live with his uncles, Tellyah and Mayyah Stuart, and his aunt, Alvina Stuart. Thereafter at age 11, he moved to Connecticut to be raised by his aunt, Muriam Stuart-Charles and family.

Dayne attended the University of Connecticut and graduated from Charter Oak College. He was a beloved member of the Greater Hartford community where he mentored youth, coached football with the East Hartford Hornets Youth organization, and supported families as a liaison and paraeducator in the East Hartford School System.

Dayne was a very passionate and loving individual. His smile and personality lit up any room he entered, and his infectious laugh followed the endless jokes he shared to ease the minds and entertain those around him. To know Dayne is to love Dayne. He was always willing to lend a hand to anyone in need, whether it be a family member, colleague, friend, or fellow neighbor. He had an enthusiasm for football, which he played from the age of 8 through college. His favorite team was the Dallas Cowboys.

Dayne shared his love for the sport with the hundreds of youths that he coached and mentored. His love for football was only surpassed by his love for his family and he will be truly missed by all those who knew him. He will always be remembered as a free-spirited role-model, the life of the party and a monumental individual in all the lives he touched.

In addition to his parents and guardians Dayne is survived by his grandparents, Justina Stuart and Morrison Tonge; his siblings, Sherett Tonge, Devanny Tonge, Dayan Tonge, Dayante Tonge, Jahmal Jnolewis, Tarelle Henderson, Kentisha Mark and Kennijah Mark; his loving family in Connecticut and Dominica, his dog-son, (as he would say) Apollo; and his lifelong friends from the Sports and Medical Sciences Academy, Class of ’09.

A celebration of Dayne’s life will be held on Wednesday, August 31 beginning at 10 a.m. at King’s Chapel COG, 400 Woodland Street, Hartford.

In lieu of flowers, the family is asking for donations to be made via the Go Fund Me so that they may continue to carry out his legacy.