Dennis M. Katkocin

Dennis M. Katkocin, 69, of New Fairfield, CT passed away peacefully at his home after an extended illness. He was the husband of former New Fairfield Selectman Peggy A. (Moore) Katkocin. Dennis was born in New York City on Sept. 27, 1943, a son of the late John and Mary M. Katkocin.

He was raised on the Upper Eastside of Manhattan and was a 1965 graduate of St. Agnes Boys High School. Dennis then attended Fordham University in the Bronx where he received his BS in Biology in 1965. He received his MS in Biology from Long Island University and then a fellowship to Rutgers University in New Jersey where he received his PhD in Microbiology in 1973. Dennis then studied at Yale University where he received a post-doctoral grant to study immunology. Dennis joined CPC International of Chicago in 1976 and then was associated with NOVOZYMES Corporation in Wilton in 1982. He was most recently Senior Research Director in Vaccine Development with Wyeth Pharmaceuticals, when he retired in 2003 after 15 years. Dennis was instrumental in the development and approval of the HibTITER Vaccine and Pneumococcal Conjugate Vaccine, now widely distributed to children. An avid fisherman and outdoorsman, Dennis could often be found at Candlewood Lake and Ball Pond fishing with his sons. As a native New Yorker, he was a staunch Yankee and Giants fan. Dennis enjoyed Deep sea fishing and vacationing in The Cape and Canada. A New Fairfield resident for the past 27 years, he was a member of St. Edward the Confessor Church in New Fairfield and a former 7 year Little League baseball coach there.

Besides his wife, survivors include his four loving sons: Matthew and his wife, Crystal, of New Fairfield,; Ryan and his wife, Jill, of Bethel; Christopher and Rachael, of Arlington, VA and Andrew and his wife, Rebecca, of Danbury. His beloved grandchildren: Avery, Jack, Declan and Logan. His sister: Joan Casey and her husband, John, of Newport News, VA. He will be sadly missed by his canine buddy, Kaci.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated Tuesday at 10am at St. Edward Church, New Fairfield. Burial will follow in St. Charles Cemetery, Farmingdale, LI, NY. Friends will be received on Sunday from 2pm to 5pm and on Monday from 5pm to 8pm at the Green Funeral Home, 57 Main St., Danbury. In lieu of flowers, contributions in Dennis’ memory may be made to Regional Hospice of Western Connecticut, 405 Main St., Danbury, CT 06810 or to the charity of one’s choice.