The Town of Westport lost a hard worker, and the sports world lost an avid competitor, when Dale Wehmhoff died last week.
The 1979 Staples High School graduate was 57.
Dale’s family moved to Westport when he was 6 years old. He played basketball, baseball and ice hockey.
Dale Wehmhoff
The ice was his particular passion. He became an assistant coach at Staples at age 18. A few years later as head coach, he took Norwalk High to the state final. He later coached again at Staples, as well as with youth and junior teams.
Dale was an avid softball player too. He played on local teams, and traveled around the country to tournaments.
Dale spent 31 years with Westport’s Department of Public Works. He also managed his own landscaping business, employing many friends and high school students.
Dale’s father Ralph was well known in Westport. After his death, Dale took over his popular role as “Santa” in the holiday season. He spread warmth and happiness to less fortunate area residents.
Dale was especially proud of his children’s success. His daughter Kelcie is head cheerleading coach at Brien McMahon High School, and in youth sports. His son Kyle is assistant hockey coach for the Connecticut Junior Whalers.
In addition to his children, Dale is survived by his wife Cheryl Anderson; his mother Marlene of Westport; his sister Marilyn Gula of Delray Beach, Florida; his brother Wayne of Westport, and several nieces and nephews.
Calling hours are this Sunday (November 18, 2 to 6 p.m., Harding Funeral Home, Westport). Services take place on Monday (November 19, 11 a.m., Saugatuck Congregational Church).
In lieu of flowers, scholarship donations can be made to Kelcie or Kyle Wehmhoff, c/o Wells Fargo Advisors, 450 Post Road East, Westport, CT 06880.
Dale was a wonderful, kind-hearted man always ready and willing to help others. My heart and thoughts go out to his family and friends.
So sorry to hear that. My son played for him on the Staples hockey team. He was a good guy. He also gave a number of the boys summer jobs in his landscaping business. RIP, Dale.
Dale was one of the first people to welcome us to the neighborhood when we bought Christies. You see this was his area to plow and we often saw him during the many storms, squalls and hurricanes.
He was very helpful to Renee and I and we quickly became friends. When Dale walked in the employees would chant “Dale’s in the House!” . We will miss him. Our thoughts are with his family.
He will be missed I do hope all selectman show up Sunday and others He work hard for our town plowing roads fixing roads was a good family man
There’s going to be a lot of people at Harding Funeral Home. Dale was a great guy.
Wow , this is a Complete Shock … Dale was a Wonderful Guy … He will be missed by Many .. May you Rip Buddy
Our thoughts and prayers to his wife and family. My wife Kathy (Coughlin) and I were both friends with Dale are whole lives. Dale was Kathy’s first “real” boyfriend at Greens Farms. And Dale and I both pitched for the Jets in LL. He always brought a smile to my face. He will be missed.
Wayne & Kathy Murray
I am sorry to here that we lost Dale. We were at the same bus stop as kids and neighbors on adjacent streets. Way too young to go. RIP to you sir.
My entire family was so very sad to hear Dale left us too soon. We knew him as larger than life leading a team of boys on the ice, and commanding many an operation from behind the wheel. Seeing him at rink-side was a reliable sign of a good game, and a good time. Kelcie and Kyle are perfect heirs to the legacy of a special man. We are grateful for the opportunity to have known him. May he rest in peace.