David Clark Whelden

9/8/1939 - 12/5/2025

North Stonington – David Clark Whelden, 86, passed away at Yale New Haven Hospital in Westerly, R. I. Dec. 5, 2025 from heart failure.

Dave was born in Providence, R.I. Sept. 8, 1939. He grew up in Warwick, R.I. graduating from Warwick Veterans Memorial High School in 1958. He then enlisted in the U.S. Navy attending the Naval Submarine School in Groton. He was a crew member in the torpedo room on the USS Hardhead, Barracuda and other submarines. He was honorably discharged in 1964.

Dave attended Roger Williams College and the University of Rhode Island. He also attended and graduated from both the Graduate School of Savings Banking at Brown University and the Graduate School of Executive Development at Fairfield University.

He was employed for 25 years with the former New England Savings Bank. He was hired to facilitate in the formation of an installment loan department. He went on to become branch administrator in charge of branch operations and then to facilities manager. At the end of his employment, he was a senior vice president and was proud of his accomplishments and the friendships he had made. He continued his professional career with Autotote Corporation, now the Sport Venues in New Haven, retiring in 2005.

Dave met and fell in love with his wife Ann while working at New England Savings Bank. They were married Oct. 19, 1985, and were able to enjoy 40 years together. In those years, they were able to ski in Vermont, snowmobile in Maine, golf in Florida, and spend time at the beach in Connecticut. They loved their life with their friends and family.

Dave loved working in his yard, especially mowing his lawn on his lawn tractor. He always had a project going. His favorite time at his camp in Maine was sailing on the lake in his Sun Fish and spending time with family and friends. In Florida, he loved playing golf and bocce with friends. Dave was a social person, loved being with people; he was always telling a joke and laughing the loudest. He would stop and talk to anyone he met, whether a limo driver standing by his limo or just someone working in their yard. He was always fun to be with. When he had company, he loved entertaining them.

Dave received a Certificate of Recognition as a Master Mason from Coastal Lodge 57 in Stonington. He was proud to wear his Mason ring. He was a member of the American Legion and the Groton Sportsmen's Club. Before his retirement, he was affiliated with the Kiwanis Club, Salvation Army and the Navy League. He was the recipient of the Wartime Medal.

Dave was predeceased by his parents, Earl Cappell Jr. and Doris (Tracy) Whelden; his daughters, Traci and Karen Whelden; brother Paul Whelden; stepmother Thelma (Tillighast) Whelden; and stepbrother Richard Tillinghast. He is survived by his wife, Ann; stepdaughter Jan Halley Destafano of Mystic; stepson Kevin (Sharon) Halley of Millinocket, Maine; brothers-in-law: William Rosebush (Jessica) of East Millinocket, Maine, Dennis Rosebush (Darlene) of Millinocket, Maine, Robert Rosebush (Dorothy) of East Millinocket, Maine; stepbrother Robert Tillinghast (Paula); and stepsister Elaine Gibbs.

Memorial services will be held in Maine at a later date.