Ronald James Dennis

Ronald James Dennis
Sept. 10, 1944 - April 10, 2013
Resident of Hayward, Livermore and Fremont
RONALD JAMES DENNIS, died at age 68.  Known to his family, neighbors and friends as "Ronnie', he was in the first class, for the Mentally Disabled, in Alameda County. It was held at the Congregational Church, Hayward, in 1952, which was moved the next year to Sequoia Street School which he attended. Now known as "The ARC," that his mother co-founded, has expanded to 5 satellite centers, serving this special population.  His mother, Ursula Dennis was instrumental in forming a local group of parents of Retarded children and was the first president of The Association for Retarded Children of Southern Alameda County, affiliated with the National Association for the Retarded. She devoted her life to Ronnie.  A workshop for the more advanced was started in 1957 at Walpert Street School, which Ronnie also attended.  Ursula and Ronnie were pioneers in ending the era of Retarded children remaining hidden away at home from the rest of society for their entire lives. Ronnie's remarkable memory, his pure heart and his love for food, made everyone he came in contact with, love him. He enjoyed participating in the Walpert Street School for many years and more recently happily participated in "The Program" at  ARC on 7 th Street Union City where he had many new friends.

Ronnie was proceeded in death by his mother, Ursula Mae (Hardy) Dennis, and leaves behind his father, Jack Dennis, Fran Dennis his step-mother and their daughter Laura of Arizona, his brother Larry Dennis, who has lovingly cared for him, of Hayward, his niece Monica (Dennis) Van Deman of  Rockland, his nephew Kevin Dennis of Livermore, as well as his Aunt Lorraine, wife of his late Uncle, Jim Dennis, cousins, Pam (Dennis) Houps, Kathy (Dennis) Guerrero, Marge Jergentz Stout and loving nieces and nephews who will all miss him immensely. 
The family thanks Heather's Care Home for their love and support for Ronnie and his family, these past 10 months.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                  
Contributions in memory of Ronnie may be made to the  main office of ARC of Alameda County, 2700A Merced St., San Leandro, CA 94577.