Stephen P. Whelton

Stephen P. Whelton, teacher of the year at Greater Lowell Technical High School and a longtime Tewksbury resident, died of colon cancer Tuesday at his home. He was 39.

Born in and raised in Tewksbury, Mr. Whelton graduated from Tewksbury Memorial High School in 1987 and studied business management at Merrimack College.

After graduation in 1993 , he worked as a manager in the hotel industry before he began teaching.

Mr. Whelton worked as a hotel and lodging teacher at Greater Lowell Technical for one year and was named teacher of the year in May.

"He had such a great impact on so many of the students," said his wife of 12 years, Dianne G. (Sanborn) of Tewksbury. "He loved kids, and he was patient and kind and giving."

In addition to his wife, he leaves a daughter, Lauren R.; a son, Sean P.; his mother, Roberta E. (Rogers); two brothers, Michael J. III of Tewksbury and Daniel M. of Bedford; and a sister, Lisa M. Francis of Methuen.

A memorial service will be held tomorrow at 1 p.m. in Greater Lowell Technical High School in Tyngsborough. Burial will be private.