Fair Winds & Following Seas, Dennis Condon

Dennis Condon was many things, a Townie, a veteran of the United States Navy during World War II, a teacher at the "Eddies", an FBI special agent and a retired Mass State Police Commissioner.

Mr. Condon was also someone my mother had a crush on when she was young. We sat on the porch after dinner and she relayed the news wistfully. She told us a story about my grandmother revealing the crush during her time working in the Charlestown Navy Yard. Mama Kelley waitressed in the Officer's Club. Apparently SA Condon and his partner would eat in the O Club. Mama would tease them because Condon's parttner was over six foot tall and she said he couldn't be "undercover" he was too noticable.

There is another half remembered story about someone that SA Condon interviewed. The suspect was also a Townie and he was accused of embezzling, but no one could figure out how he did it. Condon went in to try to talk or trick him into confessing. He asked the suspect "How did you do it?" and the reply was "Well, you were my math teacher."

This is the obit. It's kinda dry when you consider that according to my mother every girl in Charlestown was in love with him. She also said that he made a difference in a lot of student's lives because he didn't let bullies get away with anything.

CONDON, Dennis M. Former Special Agent FBI and Ret. Massachusetts State Police Commissioner. Of Waltham and native of Charlestown, July 13, 2009. Husband of Lillian M. (McNamara) Condon. Father of Dennis M. Condon Jr. (Ret. FBI S.A.) and his wife, Joyce, of Alexandria, VA, Janet Condon of Waltham, Mary Elizabeth Hardiman and her husband, James, of Waltham, Lt. James F. Condon (MSP) and his wife, MSP Trooper Katie Walsh Condon of Townsend, Matthew G. Condon of Somerville, Elaine M. Gill (Ret. Detective Lt. MSP) and her husband, Capt. Kenneth Gill (MSP) of West Newbury and the late Jeanne M. Condon. Grandfather of Dennis M. Condon III and his wife, Brooke, Patrick and Michael Condon, all of Alexandria, VA, Katherine and Sean Hoar of Waltham, Grace and Caroline Condon of Townsend, Ryan and Benjamin Gill of West Newbury; Great-grandfather to Luca Lombardi Condon of Alexandria, VA; Brother of Marie O'Connor and her husband, Richard, of Charlestown and the late Ruth Thompson, Lucy McCarthy, Ann Baldwin, Margaret Sullivan, Daniel and William Condon. Also survived by many nieces and nephews. Family and friends will honor and remember Dennis' life by gathering for calling hours in The Joyce Funeral Home, 245 Main Street (Rte. 20), WALTHAM on Thursday from 3 to 8 p.m. and again at 8:45 a.m. on Friday morning before leaving in procession to Saint Francis de Sales Church, 313 Bunker Hill Street, Charlestown, where his Funeral Mass will be celebrated at 10 a.m. Burial will follow in Mount Pleasant Cemetery, Arlington. Retired Special Agent Federal Bureau of Investigation (1951-1977); Former Massachusetts State Police Commissioner and Undersecretary of Public Safety. Late Navy Veteran World War II. The Condon family wishes to extend their sincere thanks to Dr. Cary Akins and Dr. Roman DeSanctis at the Mass General Hospital for more than 27 years of clincial expertise and friendship. Memorial donations may be made to the Boston Healthcare for the Homeless Program, 780 Albany Street · Boston MA 02118. For complete obituary, guest book and directions please visit www.joycefuneralhome.com