Dennis J. Wolfer

KENSINGTON - Dennis Joseph Wolfer, 59, resident of Kensington, entered into eternal rest on Thursday, May 19, 2011, at the Connecticut Hospice in Branford, with his brothers and sister by his side.

Dennis was born in New Britain to the late Raymond James and Mary (O'Sullivan) Wolfer. He was a graduate of New Britain High School class of 1970, and was employed at Sears Corbins Corner for 40 years, retiring in 2008. After his retirement, he was employed as a part-time parking attendant at the Hospital of Central Connecticut at New Britain General, a job he truly enjoyed.

Dennis was a member of the New Britain Housing Board of Appeals and the New Britain Fire Board, under the leadership of Mayor William McNamara. He was a member of the Knights of Columbus Kensington Council 3675, the Berlin Lions, the Spartan Vets, the Eighth Ward Club, the Austrian Hungarian Club and the New Britain Elks Lodge 957. While a member of the Elks he received the following awards: Volunteer of the Year, Elk Man of the Year, Swedish Man of the Year, Polish Man of the Year and was the Exalted Ruler 2010-2011. He was a member of the PER Association and the Elks National Foundation. Dennis had worked tirelessly in many State programs benefiting Veterans, Children, and the Special Olympics. He loved working each year at the Berlin Fair doing many different jobs but working the sausage booth was his favorite.

The family would like to send special thanks to all who were involved, both friends and medical personnel who helped Dennis during this journey which began in July 2004. Most recently the entire medical personnel and care-coordinators on the 7th floor Smilow Cancer Hospital at Yale New Haven for their compassionate care, along with the Connecticut Hospice in Branford.

Dennis is survived by his two brothers and a sister-in-law, Thomas and Annmarie (Menzyk) Wolfer, of Wallingford, and Christopher Wolfer, of Kensington, his sister and a brother-in-law, Sheila and Gene Allocca, of Kensington; his four nephews and a niece, Andrew, Stephen and Daniel, of Wallingford, and Michael and Elizabeth, of Kensington; his many dear friends including his traveling buddies, Jack, Al, Don, John and Helen. Dennis will be truly missed. He was a compassionate person who was always willing to help others.

Funeral rites for Dennis will be held Wednesday, May 25, at 9:30 a.m. with the procession departing at 10 a.m., from the Paul A. Shaker/Farmingdale Funeral Home, 764 Farmington Ave., New Britain, followed by a liturgy of Christian burial at 11 a.m., at St. Joseph Church, 195 South Main St., New Britain, CT Committal service and final resting place will be in St. Mary Cemetery, 1309 Stanley St., New Britain. Relatives and friends may call at the Paul A. Shaker/Farmingdale Funeral Home Tuesday from 4 to 8 p.m. Directions to funeral home: I-84 East or West, Exit 37 (Fienemann Road), right off exit, one mile down on right.

The Elks Lodge 957 will hold a ritual Tuesday at 6 p.m., at the funeral home, followed by the Berlin Lions Club at 7 p.m. In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made to the Special Olympics Connecticut, 2666 State St. Suite 1, Hamden, CT 06517. To extend condolences to the Wolfer family or to share a memory of Dennis, please visit our website at shakerfuneralhome.com