Dennis M. Condon

Waltham - Mr. Dennis M. Condon, of Waltham, died Monday, July 13, 2009 in his home surrounded by his family. He was 85. Dennis was born on November 23, 1923 in Boston's Charlestown neighborhood on Bunker Hill Street. He was a son of the late Capt. Dennis M. (BFD) and Nora (Haggerty) Condon. He graduated from Boston English High School and earned a Bachelor's degree from Boston College, class of 1945. He did graduate studies at Boston University. He moved to Waltham with his wife in 1953 and raised his family. Dennis was a Lieutenant Commander in the U.S. Naval Air Corps and served aboard the U.S.S. Siboney and was a veteran of World War II. He had an illustrious career in law enforcement. He was an FBI Special Agent for more than 26 years and he received more than 30 commendations from the FBI Director including 10 Meritorious Awards. He personally located and arrested five criminals on the FBI's 10 Most Wanted List, an achievement which has not been equaled by any past or present agent. After retiring from the FBI as a 'street agent' he served with the Massachusetts State Police as Commissioner of Public Safety and later as Undersecretary of Public Safety in the Executive Office of Public Safety under then Governor Michael M. Dukakis. Dennis was a member of The Society of Former Special Agents of the FBI, the former Massachusetts State Trooper's Association, Boston College Class of 1945 Golf Legends and the Old Charlestown Schoolboy's Association. He was predeceased by his daughter, Jeanne M. Condon and his siblings, Ruth Thompson, Lucy McCarthy, Ann Baldwin, Margaret Sullivan, Daniel and William Condon. He leaves his wife of 61 years, Lillian M. (McNamara) Condon; his children, Dennis M. Condon Jr. (Ret. FBI S.A) and his wife, Joyce, of Alexandria, Virginia, 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; his grandchildren, Dennis M. Condon III and his wife, Brooke, Patrick and Michael Condon, all of Alexandria, Katherine and Sean Hoar of Waltham, Grace and Caroline Condon of Townsend, Ryan and Benjamin Gill of West Newbury; his great-grandchild, Luca Lombardi Condon of Alexandria; his sister, Marie O'Connor and her husband, Richard, of Charlestown and 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 deSales 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. 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 clinical expertise and friendship. Memorial donations may be made to the Boston Healthcare for the Homeless Program, 780 Albany Street, Boston MA 02118.