Dempsey, Dennis W. "Denny"
Dennis W. "Denny" Dempsey, 70, of Surprise, AZ and Portland, OR, died Monday, February 11, 2013, at Oregon Health & Science University, Knight Cancer Institute, in Portland, after a valiant battle with Myelodysplastic Syndrome (Leukemia). He had received a bone marrow transplant in November, but his body had rejected the new cells. His family was able to be at his side as he passed peacefully. He was born June 8, 1942, in Painesville, Ohio, and attended St. Mary's in Painesville. He graduated from Harvey High School in 1960 and obtained a Bachelor of Science in Social Studies at John Carroll University in Cleveland in 1964. During his military service in the U.S. Army Transportation Corps, he attained the rank of Captain, and served in Vietnam. During his service, he became interested in commercial aviation. He entered the TWA Management Training Program based in San Francisco in 1968, and became a supervisor in the Air Freight Department. His TWA career in airport management continued as he received progressive promotions and was assigned to Philadelphia and the New York Region. In 1980 he became Station Manager at Washington Dulles International Airport. He returned to San Francisco in 1989 as Station Manager of San Francisco International Airport. He retired from TWA in 1999 and joined AvAirPros Services at San Francisco, where he was Manager Services for the San Francisco Terminal Equipment Company and San Francisco Foreign Flag Carriers, and among many managerial functions, he was involved with the development of operational procedures for the new International Terminal Building, which opened in 2000. After retirement, he and his wife, Sherry, divided their time between their homes in Portland and Surprise. Denny was known and loved for his unending sense of humor and love of sports. He was so much fun to be around, and had a cavalcade of friends, as evidenced by the outpouring of support he received during his illness. As a youth, Denny was very active in sports and as an adult, he was involved with youth sports programs such as Little League baseball, CYO Basketball, youth soccer leagues and summer swim leagues. Upon retirement, he played in the Sun City Grand Men's Softball Club and Sun City Grand Men's Golf Club in Surprise, and was a member of Rock Creek Country Club in Portland where he volunteered his time with the Junior Golf program. He was an excellent golfer, and enjoyed living on the golf course in both Surprise and in Portland. He continued to play golf for months after his diagnosis. He rarely missed sports on TV, whether it be baseball, basketball, football or golf. He is survived by his beloved wife of 15 years, Sherry; his daughter, Tara Dempsey of Oakland, CA, and son, Ryan Dempsey of San Francisco; a stepdaughter, Tiffany (Mitchell) Wiencken, and a stepson, Todd Hutchinson (Wan), both of Portland; a brother, Fr. Terry Dempsey of St. Louis, MO; and three grandchildren, Jackson, Willard and Daniel Wiencken. He was preceded in death by his parents, Pauline Lynch Dempsey and William Dempsey, and a sister, Mary Pat Dempsey. He was a member of St. Pius X Catholic Church, 1280 Saltzman Road, Portland, where funeral services will be held Saturday morning, Feb. 16, at 10:30 a.m., followed by a luncheon at the church and burial at Finley-Sunset Hills Memorial Park, Portland. A memorial service is being planned at the Sun City Grand "Field of Dreams" softball stadium. For information please contact Roger Neumann at (623) 225-7229. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that remembrances be made in Dennis Dempsey's name to support Patient Support Services at the OHSU Knight Cancer Institute. Please make your checks payable to the OHSU Foundation and mail to Mail Stop 45 PO Box 4000, Portland, OR 97208-9852.
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Please accept my sincere sympathy at the loss of Dennis. He was a true airline professional and a key player in the success of TWA. He will be missed by all.
Don Tinsley
September 23, 2013
I just learned of Dennis' death. He was a great man. To say he was one of the best TWA station managers is quite a compliment, as there were many excellent station managers. He always supported me in my work, for which I was always deeply grateful. He was a true gentleman and a wonderful example of TWA excellence.
Roger Smart
Roger Smart
September 23, 2013
Dear Sherry,
I was sorry to hear about Denny's death. Although I haven't seen Denny since the late 70's, when we worked together in New York for TWA. He was always so funny and good to work with. You had a good man.
Sincerely,
John McGlade
John McGlade
March 29, 2013
Dearest Sherry: I am sorry for this late heartfelt message. Please know that prayers are going daily for you and Dennis and family. May The Dear Lord give you the strength and blessings to reflect on your treasured memories. My Love, Kathleen Hoff
Kathleen Hoff
March 15, 2013
The Irish prayer, "Until we meet again, may God hold you in the palm of His hand."
Marilyn (mac) McFerren
March 4, 2013
I just became aware of the loss of Denny.
I wasucky to share many good times with him when we worked together at the TWA regional offices at 2 Penn Plaza. Denny enjoyed sports and we often attended many events in Madison Square Garden.
After Denny went to SFO and I to JFK he would often surprise me by sending a loaf of sourdough bread care of a crewmember on a TWA flight into JFK. I consider myself lucky to share those times with him.
John Bogel ( retired TWA )
February 23, 2013
DENNIS,
REST IN PEACE MY FREIND. MY CONDOLENCES TO YOUR FAMILY.
GENE FOSTER TWA JFK
February 20, 2013
Denny will be missed by his friends an
fellow TWA family. He was great to work with. My condolences to the family.
Jim Stinson
February 20, 2013
Dennis was one of the best I ever knew and worked for he was a true TWA man. Adrienne and I shared many years with Sherry and Dennis when we had our weekend golf outing. He will be missed by his family and his many many friends, I will look forward to seeing you Dennis on that special golf course up stairs, Scotty
robert mckenzie
February 20, 2013
My condolences to the family as they deal with loss they ahve just experienced. May you truly be comforted by God (John 16:22)
February 20, 2013
Dennis was a real pleasure to work with. We interfaced so very often at TWA.
I remember most, that he was honest and a gentleman. To his family, I am so very sorry for your loss.
Carole Panuccio McLaughlin
February 20, 2013
I am so sorry to hear of Denny's passing!
He was a pleasure to work with and a true professional.
My sincerest heartfelt sympathy to his family. May he be in heaven and his family and friends be consoled.
Beatrice Lutz-Friswild, St. Louis MO
February 20, 2013
My condolences to the family. Dennis & I worked together at TWA in San Francisco for many years & we kept in touch when he moved to NYC 2 Penn Plaza & again back to the bay area.
Dennis was a true professional,loved to talk sports & will be missed by many of his TWA family.
Dale Norgard
February 20, 2013
I am very sorry to hear that Denny has passed. Denny was the "KT" in SFO when I was the "KT" in SAN. Our paths crossed many times over the years on both coasts. In fact, at one point when we had a situation in SAN, Denny was one of the people who left his post in SFO, got on Southwest and came to SAN to help.
I was unaware of Denny's illness, however, Dotty and I have a great
appreciation for what he and his family went through. Gratefully, Dotty's bone marrow transplant worked and she returned to her job as a Flight Attendant two weeks ago.
Our prayers and thoughts are with Denny and his family.
Mike Hagan
February 20, 2013
Sending thoughts, prayers and sympathy to Denny's family. He was a champ.
tracey brown westhoff
February 20, 2013
I just got the word and it is a shock to hear of Denny's passing. He was an asset to TWA in his various assignments over the years and a great friend. Condolences to his family.
Paul Friswold
February 20, 2013
We were so very sorry to hear of Denny's passing. We'll miss his smile and his laughter, but most of all losing a good friend.
Many blessings to the family, with our
deepest sympathy.
Nick & Lin ZINEVICH
February 20, 2013
Denny will be truly missed by all, as we look forward to the time when our heavenly
Denny will be truly missed by all, our comfort comes in knowing that soon sicknesa and death will be elimenated as the God of Comfort promises.
February 19, 2013
Many good memories from the Forest Dr. Roosevelt dr. Lathrop School Playground area. Denny was a great Baseball fan and player. RIP Denny Don Locotosh Painesville, now Fletcher N. Carolina [email protected]
February 17, 2013
I grew up with Denny...tho lived on Lincoln (next street over) We did have so much fun ....loved and admired the Dempsey family...my sincere sympathies to all
Barbara (Mummey) Resetar, Marblehead, OH
February 17, 2013
Denny was a good friend and I will truly miss seeing him at Rock Creek Country Club.
Roy Bright
February 15, 2013
Although I only met Denny a few times, I saw him through the eyes of my dear friend Fr. Terry Dempsey; their bond as brothers was deeply inspiring.
On a personal level, Denny helped me one time to break through airline problems to get information for a foreign student of mine.
My deepest condolences are with his family.
Martha Armes
February 15, 2013
I was saddened to hear that Denny lost his fight with leukemia. He truly was a special person and his cheerful spirit will always be remembered. Rest in peace Denny.
Dana McNaught
February 15, 2013
HEARTFELT SYMPATHY FOR YOUR FAMILY. R. I. P DENNIS.
NANCY GALAYDA KING
February 15, 2013
February 15, 2013
My deepest sympathy to Denny's family and friends. May he rest in peace.
Kathy Goodmanson Westergard
February 14, 2013
February 14, 2013
February 14, 2013
In deepest sympathy to a great classmate. Nancy Coss-Caine
February 14, 2013
In deepest sympathy to a great classmate. Nancy Coss-Caine
February 14, 2013
Please accept my heartfelt sympathy for your family. Denny was a great guy. I remember him from my days at Harvey High.
He was always ready with a smile for this underclassman.
Carolyn Ashcraft-Wetzel
February 14, 2013
We had such fun growing up on Forest Drive. You lived an exemplary life - my sincerest condolences to your family and friends.
Pamela Goldsmith-Kaiser
February 14, 2013
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