Robert Hall Denny, of Warwick, departed this life peacefully on Thursday evening, December 22, 2011 with his wife by his side comforting him, after a brief and admirable time with cancer. He was 78 years old.
He was the only son of the six children of the late Nathan J. and Helen E. (McNamara) Denny.
He was born in New Haven, CT and attended Hill House High School. He sold programs at the Yale Bowl, where he learned his selling skills for his career in marketing. He was an altar boy at St. Adeans Church for ten years.
He enlisted in the Navy and very proudly served his country from 1952-1956 aboard the U.S.S. Albert T. Harris during the Korean War. On leave at home, he met the love of his life on a blind date. In 1960, he married Carolyn Newins and they had a devoted marriage for 51 years. After his honorable discharge, he worked nights and attended college by the day. He graduated from Hofstra University in 1961 Phi Theta Kappa. He then began his career as a district sales manager for U.S. Gypsum Company and Amerock Corporation for 40 years. He traveled the New England territory. He spent his life working hard to be a good provider for his family and teaching his children honesty, integrity and ambition. He was a 41 year resident of Warwick, where he raised his four children into respectable adults. He was a devout member of St. Stephen’s parish. He was a member of the Warwick Valley Country Club and served as pool chairman for many years One of his fondest memories was having been Santa Claus for the Methodist Nursery School for many Christmas’.
He was an avid reader, especially of Civil War books and he visited every battle field on the east coast. He was a real fishing enthusiast, fishing everywhere from Alaska to the Caribbean and Canada to Florida. He enjoyed boating on Long Island and Florida. He was a lapidarist making jewelry, especially bolo ties for his family. He and Carolyn delivered Meals on Wheels every week for 22 years. They enjoyed traveling throughout Europe many times. Bob believed in strong work ethics. He was a respected gentleman and was generous to his family and friends. One of his best friends was his father-in-law, Carolyn’s father, whom he boated with and played golf and cards with by the hour. He helped take care of him in his later years. And, oh yes, he was quite a dancer.
Those who had the pleasure of knowing him were all touched by his sincere love and caring warmth and his true and loyal friendship. He was a very genuine person to be respected and we shall all miss him. He felt his most meaningful accomplishments in life were being a devoted husband, father, grandfather and a good citizen.
Bob leaves to cherish his memories his loving family: wife, Carolyn (Newins); his four children: Karen Denny of PA, David Denny and Sheilah of Oregon, Clare Williams and her husband Matt of PA, and Brian Denny of CA; his sisters: Caryl Lo Presti of CA, Dorothy McNamara of Mass, Rosemary Harkins of CT, and Marilyn Stark of MA; his special grandchildren: Sarah, Connor, Grace and Margo; also 22 nieces, nephews and cousins and 32 great-nieces and nephews.
Besides his parents, he was predeceased by his sister, Natalie Hurley.
Visitation for family and friends will be on Tuesday, December 27th, from 1:00-4:00 pm at Lazear-Smith & Vander Plaat Memorial Home, 17 Oakland Avenue, Warwick, NY. Mass of Christian Burial will be at 11:30 am on Wednesday at St. Stephens RC Church, Warwick. Final resting place will be at St. John’s Cemetery, Middle Village.
In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to the Disable American Veterans in memory of Bob. Address: P. O. Box 14301, Cincinnati, OH 45150.
For further information, directions or to send an online condolence, see www.lsvpmemorialhome.com
“This I will remember, when the rest of life is through: the finest thing I’ve ever done is simply loving you.” - Carolyn