Dennis John Fahey

Dennis grew up in Portland where he graduated from Central Catholic H.S. He earned his B.A. and M.S. from Western Washington University in 1953 and 1956. His Ed. D. was awarded in 1964 from the University of Portland. College was interrupted when he served in the U.S. Air Force during the Korean War.

Dennis met his wife, Shirley while in college. They married in Port Angeles, Washington on May 28, 1955 and were married 68 yrs.

They raised their nine children in Portland and Monmouth, Oregon.

Dennis was an educator for thirty-five years. He served as an elementary and secondary teacher and in administrative roles for thirteen years in the Portland Public Schools serving students with special needs. The family moved to Monmouth in 1966, where Dennis was a Professor of Special Education at Western Oregon University for twenty-two years, retiring in 1988. He was always active in the community and professional activities. Dennis served as Mayor of Monmouth during the 1970’s. He was a member of the International Board of Governors for the Council for Exceptional Children and a Regional Vice-President of the American Association on Mental Deficiency. Dennis served on numerous educational Boards and Committees for the State, receiving commendations from Governors Hatfield, McCall, and Straub. In addition, President Jimmy Carter invited Dennis to serve on the President’s Panel on Special Needs Individuals in 1977.

Dennis is preceded in death by his older brother Joseph A Fahey, and his wife Shirley. He is survived by his nine children, Mark (Kim), Bruce, Scott (Jane), Paula, Gregory (Cathy), David (Sylvia), Mary, James, and Linda Davis (Shawn) along with eleven grandchildren and two great grandchildren.

Arrangements made by Virgil Golden Funeral Home. Dennis was a devout Catholic and attended Mass daily at Mt. Angel Towers and was a member of St. Edwards Catholic Church.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be on Thursday May 14th, 2026 at 10am at St. Edwards Catholic Church in Keizer, OR. A Private Interment will be at Willamette National Cemetery in Portland,OR. In lieu of flowers the family requests donations be made to St. Edwards Catholic Church or Mt. Angel Abbey.