Obituary of Daniel Joseph Ahern

Daniel Joseph Ahern Jr. died on Tuesday, March 25th, 2025, at the age of 82, after a long battle against esophageal cancer.

He is survived by his beloved wife, Patricia Sabena Ahern, his four dear stepchildren (Matthew Sabena, Nicole Feagin, Kristin Stock, and Ingrid Dragotta and their wonderful spouses) and his adored nine grandchildren (Niamh Sabena, Matthew Teague Sabena, Patrick Feagin, Benjamin Feagin, Greta Stock, Madeleine Stock, Eloise Stock, Leonardo Toth Dragotta and Lucas Daniel Dragotta. Dan is also survived by his sister Katherine Friedland, his niece Vanessa Conley and her family, and his close cousins Ray Gooley and Danny Gooley

Dan was born in New Haven, Connecticut in 1943, the son of Helen and Daniel Joseph Ahern, Sr. He was educated at St. Peter's School and West Haven High School. He graduated from Quinnipiac University in 1974 with a BA degree in History, and completed his Master's degree in History Education from Southern Connecticut in 1975.

Dan served in the Air Force from 1965 to 1969. He trained in Texas, monitored equipment for the Minute Man missiles at Whiteman Air Force Base in Missouri, and later spent two years at Elmendorf Air Force Base in Anchorage, Alaska overseeing engine supply for the F102 fighter aircraft.

In addition to teaching History, Dan also became certified in Special Education and teaching ESL. He retired from the Greenwich High School System in 2009. He continued to substitute teach in the Fairfield School System at Ludlowe and Ward High Schools until early in 2024. Dan was known fondly by his students as Mr. A., Mr. Dan, Dr. Dan or Dan the Man.

Dan was an avid cyclist and reader of biographies and histories. His ability to tell stories was legendary. With his wife, Patty, he traveled extensively around Asia, South America, Europe, Down Under, and Africa, and relaxed over the years for a couple of weeks at a time in Cabo San Lucas, Mexico.

In 2009, Dan fulfilled a dream to attend the Monaco Grand Prix, and completed a course in Le Luc en Provence,France enabling him to drive both Formula Three and Formula One racecars.

Calling hours for Dan will be held on Sunday, March 30th, 2025, from 2:00 PM to 6:00 PM at the Lesko Funeral Home, located at 1209 Post Road, Fairfield Center. His Funeral Mass will occur on Monday, March 31st, at 10:30 AM at St. Anthony of Padua Church, located at 149 South Pine Creek Road, Fairfield. The Mass will be recorded live, and there will be a post-mass reception. Following the service, Dan will be privately interred by his family at St. Mary's Cemetery in Greenwich, CT, with full military honors. For travel directions or to sign Dan's online guest register, please visit, www.LeskoFuneralHome.com.