Dennis Knight Whalen

Dennis Whalen, 71, passed peacefully holding the hands of his beloved daughters, with the Patriots game quietly playing in the background on January 18, 2026. It is important to note that the Patriots went on to win that game - a victory we like to think was for Dennis.

Dennis was a devoted husband, father, brother and grandfather. He is survived by his wife of 36 years, Eileen; his sister, Julia of Deep River, CT; his daughters, Heather Vilanova and her husband Paul, and Kelly Whalen; his three precious grandchildren, Emery, Chase and Georgia Vilanova who knew him lovingly as “Papa,” a role that brought him great joy. He is also survived by his brothers-in-law, Kevin Golger and his wife Peggie, and Bob Golger and his wife Denise; and his niece, Molly Golger, and nephews, Brian and Chris Golger.

Born in Paducah, Kentucky, to Bernard and Lovette Whalen, Dennis grew up in East Hartford, Connecticut, where his love of sports began at an early age. He played baseball and football throughout his youth and through college, carrying those passions with him for the rest of his life. Dennis attended Dean College before transferring to the University of Bridgeport, where he continued playing both sports and, most importantly, formed deep, lifelong bonds with his friends and teammates. He went on to earn a Master’s degree in Education from Sacred Heart University.

Dennis’s profession as a physical education teacher in Bridgeport suited him perfectly as it combined his love of children and sports. He was the assistant baseball coach at Fairfield University for a number of years and the head baseball coach at the University of Bridgeport. Dennis also coached at a number of local high schools, leaving a lasting impact on countless students.

A devoted and easily identifiable Red Sox fan, Dennis followed the team and represented his fandom with unwavering loyalty through winning and losing seasons. Conversations about Red Sox games, Dunkin Donuts coffee runs and walks in the neighborhood were part of daily life, and anyone who encountered Dennis was greeted with a smile and an ask, “how are you today?”

Above all, Dennis valued family. He was a constant presence in the lives of his children and grandchildren, always supportive, always punctual, and always ready with encouragement or humor on the sidelines of a soccer practice or sing-along. In recent years, he was a highly requested dinner guest and constant presence in the evenings for his grandchildren. His kindness, enthusiasm, and love of sports and dogs will be remembered by his family, friends, former students, neighbors and players whose lives he touched.

The Whalens extend their heartfelt thanks to Dennis’s longtime physicians, whom he deeply respected and trusted. Despite facing numerous serious medical challenges, he met his care with patience, grace and good humor and was often noted as an exemplary patient.

Family and friends are invited to gather on Friday, January 23rd from 5-7 p.m. at the Spear-Miller Funeral Home 39 S. Benson Road, Fairfield. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Saturday, January 24th at 1:30 p.m. meeting directly at St. Thomas Aquinas Church, Fairfield. Interment will be private.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made in Dennis’s memory to his best friend Neil Kavey’s Field of Dreams Foundation, continuing his legacy of supporting youth sports and opportunities for student athletes in Bridgeport at www.bptdreams.org.