Michael D. Wheatley

Michael David Wheatley of Hamden, CT passed away suddenly at home on September 14, 2026. Born on July 17, 1947, in New Haven CT, Michael was the son of the late Harold L. Wheatley and Leila G. Wheatley.

He leaves behind a daughter, Julianna Wheatley Rogers, and two grandchildren, Sabrina Rogers and Jacob Rogers of Massachusetts; brothers, Richard P. Wheatley (Kathi) of Hamden, CT and Daniel Wheatley of Maine; and sister, Joanne Wheatley Johnson; former brother-in-law, Geoffrey Johnson (Damien Drobinski) of Hamden; numerous nieces, nephews, grandnieces, grandnephews; and many friends who will miss him terribly.

Michael grew up in New Haven and attended St. Francis Catholic School, where he served as an altar boy at St. Francis Church. He later attended Notre Dame High School in West Haven. After his family moved to Milford, he then graduated from Milford High School in 1965. Following his graduation, Mike joined the United States Army. After his military service he returned to Milford, where he attended the University of New Haven, majoring in two of his great passions, English and Theatre.

Michael worked in many fields, starting with Hamden’s Whitney Blake Wire Company, where he worked with his dad. For many years Mike worked at New Haven’s Gnomon Copy, where he was a happy and familiar face to the many Yale student customers. He eventually he moved to Amherst, Massachusetts to help open another branch of Gnomon Copy, where he became manager. Returning to New Haven, Mike then tried his hand at selling life insurance, which he soon discovered was not for him.

Turning yet another of life’s pages, Mike started working for another company associated with Xerox, which brought him all over the state of Connecticut, making many friends, which convinced him to help open a copy repair shop in Charleston, SC. As the saying goes, “when God closes a door, he always opens a window,” which proved true when the business closed. This gave him the opportunity to co-own Stage One Theater in Charleston, which had a great run until it closed in 1993.

Returning to Hamden, Mike lived with his brother and sister-in-law, Richard and Kathi, where he helped take care of their two special needs sons, Jason and James. It was then that Mike began working for Best Video in Hamden, as well as Hamden’s Public Libraries as a page. He so loved critiquing movies on the library’s podcast. Michael was always there for his family and friends to help with repairs to electronics, computers, VHS tapes, or DVDs as needed.

Michael David Wheatley was a parishioner at Spring Glen’s St. Rita Church, where he enjoyed singing in the St. Paul VI Parish Choir.

Friends may visit with his family on Thursday, October 1st from 9:00 to 10:30 a.m. at Beecher and Bennett Funeral Home, 2300 Whitney Ave., Hamden, CT. Immediately following the calling hours, a Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 11:00 a.m. at St. Paul VI Parish-St. Rita Church, 1620 Whitney Ave., Hamden.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to:

Best Video, 1842 Whitney Ave., Hamden, CT 06517,

or:

The Oncology Dept. at the U.S. Dept. of Veterans Affairs in West Haven, CT. Please request the donation specifically go to the Oncology Dept.

For more information or to send condolences, please see www.beecherandbennett.com.