Dennis McClenahan died on December 27‚ 2008‚ from a heart attack after responding to a reported commercial alarm.

A lifelong resident of Princeton Junction‚ New Jersey‚ he was employed by the maintenance department of West Windsor-Plainsboro Regional School District for eight years and was previously self-employed for Mac Tools for sixteen years. He was a hard worker who was always doing something. If he was not at one job‚ he would be off on a second‚ part-time job.

Dennis was a skilled mechanic who loved working on vehicles and equipment of all kinds. He had just built a garage on his house and planned to add a lift so he could tinker with cars after his retirement. His mechanical skills came in handy at the fire department. As an engineer‚ he did equipment repair and truck maintenance.

A 37-year veteran with the Princeton Junction Volunteer Fire Company‚ he was the driver/pump operator for 15 years and a former trustee‚ lieutenant‚ and engineer. He was named one of the department’s top ten responders nearly every year.

He was known for his reliability and quick response to fires and other emergencies. He understood the meaning of volunteerism‚ and enjoyed the camaraderie in the firehouse. Dennis also headed the decoration committee during the holidays‚ decorating both the firehouse and his own home. He started a scholarship program at the firehouse for junior members who continued to volunteer during the summers while they were in college.

Dennis’s wife‚ Cathy‚ and his daughters‚ Sandy and Cindy‚ are all involved in the fire company.

Family was an important priority for Dennis. He enjoyed taking his family on camping trips years ago‚ being a band parent‚ and going on cruises. He followed his daughters to every football game and competition with the marching band for six years. He enjoyed all kinds of fish and had saltwater and freshwater fish tanks and koi ponds in the backyard. He enjoyed following the Yankees and Eagles.

Married for 33 years‚ Dennis is survived by his wife‚ Cathy McClenahan; two daughters‚ Sandy (William) Gancarcik‚ and Cindy McClenahan; his father‚ Stanley McClenahan; two sisters; and two brothers.