Allan H. Hamid, 63, of Woodbury, died peacefully on Thursday, May 7, 2009, at Waterbury Hospital. He was the beloved husband of Linda Osterman Hamid.

Mr. Hamid was born on January 14, 1946, in New York City. He was the only child of Hungarian parents Lillian and Arpad Hamid.

He received a B.A. from Thiel College, a M.A. degree from Southern Connecticut State University and studied a year at the University of Ghana, Africa. The recipient of Gilder-Lehrman Institute of American History grants, he studied at Amherst College and Yale University. A scholar of the Civil Rights Movement, Mr. Hamid was a Harvard University Fellow in 2001 and was also honored with grants from the National Endowment for the Humanities.

An outstanding educator, Mr. Hamid taught American History for 36 years at the Fox Lane High School in Bedford, NY. There he met his wife, a Spanish teacher for 20 years.

Horses were Allan Hamid's greatest passion! He established the rare Spanish-Norman, a genetic and historical re-creation of the medieval knight's horse. His famous stallion, Romantico H.H.F. is the acclaimed "Ambassador" of the rare breed.

Mr. Hamid was a member of the First Congregational Church of Woodbury for 34 years. Proud of his own Sephardic background and interested in other religions, he participated in the "Faith and Justice Series."

Besides Linda, his wife of 34 years, Allan will be deeply missed by his life-long family friend Helen Wankowicz of Yonkers, NY; his mother-in-law Ella Osterman; brother-in-law Jeff Osterman and nephew Timothy Osterman of Williamsville, NY; his brothers-in-law Frederic Osterman and wife Barbara of Columbus, Ohio and David Osterman of Monterey, Tennessee; sister-in-law Bonnie Moore and her husband Michael; nephew Samuel Moore and nieces Lindsay Langholz and Lauren Langholz of Colleyville, Texas. Also, to speak at his memorial service will be closest colleague Dr. Timothy Miller of Rensselaerville, NY; dear cousin Barbara Klausner of Passaic, NJ and Waterbury Hospital Auxiliary friend Mary Calvo of Waterbury. Allan will be remembered by decades of former students, community members, faithful friends and fellow horse aficionados.

Memorials: Contributions in memory of Allan Hamid may be made to Waterbury Hospital, 64 Robbins Street, Waterbury, CT 06708, or the First Congregational Church, 214 Main Street South, Woodbury, CT 06798.

Location: Munson-Lovetere Woodbury

Funeral: North Congregational Church

Services: A memorial service will take place on Sunday, June 14 at 3 p.m. at the North Congregational Church, 11 Main St. North, Woodbury, CT 06798.

Visitation: There are no calling hours.