Denis M. Orpen

Denis M. Orpen spent most of his 82 years living like he was 25.

This legend entered the world on September 9, 1943 to Joseph and Ellinor Orpen and led lots of shenanigans in Medford, MA with his three siblings Joe, Carol, and Richard.

Denis’ best days were spent outdoors with his family, happy hours and tennis matches with friends, or in the classroom/basketball court with his students and fellow Woburn teachers.

He passed away peacefully on December 22, 2025, surrounded by his two daughters.

Denis was one-of-kind and always did exactly as he pleased. His pride and joy were his daughters and grandchildren, his Dobermans and his garden. Loyal to his Medford roots, he was a diehard Boston sports fan – Ted Williams, Larry Bird, The Chief – all reigned as heroes in his house, and the Lakers and Yankees were always booed (surrounded by expletives).

A former Tufts baseball player (we’re sure you heard about the year he batted .600), he also loved college sports. The Big East conference captured his heart and the holy grail was when his daughters went to Syracuse and UConn. He was known for going to Cuse vs UConn games and changing his shirt at half time to show equal loyalty.

He also loved teaching kids math or schooling them in basketball. In his 40s and 50s, he took great pride in playing pick up games with his students and he never went easy.

Denis was a lifelong fighter – whether it was for civil rights, the Woburn Teachers’ Association or against cancer and other health conditions he faced late in life.

He had his favorite stories and liked to repeat them, and repeat them, and repeat them, much like his favorite songs from The Beatles, Elvis, Melissa Etheridge and Rod Stewart. Because of this, he created a deep bench of people to carry on his stories, his love and his willful, fighting spirit. His starting line up includes daughters Jaclyn Petros and Lindsy Orpen; sons-in-law Matt Petros and Sean Sullivan, and the next generation of rising stars Devin, Josie, and Camryn Petros, and Pacey Bernice and Max Boomer Sullivan.

He remained “Forever Young” at heart. As Rod Stewart sang:
“And when you finally fly away, I’ll be hoping that I served you well… Whatever road you choose, I’m right behind you, win or lose.”
Those who knew Denis know he did exactly that.

His services were held privately. Donations may be made in his name to the Doberman Rescue League or ACLU.