Flint, Michigan
GERACE, Dennis John - Of Flint, age 57, died Thursday, June 5, 2003 at McLaren Regional Medical Center. Funeral service will be held at 11AM Monday, June 9, 2003 at Trinity United Methodist Church, 2200 Forest Hill in Flint, Reverend John K. Benissan officiating. Burial in Sunset Hills Cemetery. Those desiring may make contributions to Trinity United Methodist Church or Cystic Fibrosis Foundation. Visitation 2-4 and 6-8PM Sunday at the Swartz Funeral Home, 1225 West Hill Road. Dennis will be at the church from 10AM until the time of the service on Monday. Dennis was born in Flint, Michigan on October 19, 1945 the son of Harold and Harriet (Anderson) Gerace. He married Carolyn Gaddes on August 31, 1968 in Pontiac. Dennis was active at Trinity United Methodist Church, sang in the choir, was a lay leader and held various positions at the church. He enjoyed gardening, fishing and loved to play golf. Dennis was a big fan and alumni at Central Michigan University. He also was a fan of the Detroit Tigers and Lions. He loved spending time with his family, friends and at the cottage on Saginaw Bay. Dennis retired after 33 years with the Filnt Schools, where he taught and coached football and baseball for 25 years. Surviving are his wife, Carolyn; daughter, Julie Gerace of Flint Township; sons, Tim Gerace and fiancee, Becky LaFreniere of Flint, Pat Gerace and fiancee, Angie Webb of Flint; 5 grandchildren; cousins, John and wife Vicki Anderson of Goodrich, Mary Jo and husband Dale Peterson of Linden; aunt, Amelia Gaston of Hawaii; brothers-in-law, James and Kaye Hiscock of Coldwater, Bill and Carole Gaddes of Waterford; 5 nephews, nieces and many friends. He was preceded in death by his parents, Harold and Harriet Gerace; step-father, Richard Keller; mother and father-in-law, Bill and Irene Gaddes; grandparents, William and Agnes Anderson, Richard and Dorothy Gaddes.
I lost touch with Dennis after high school but I will always remember him as an intelligent nice guy who was fun to be around. My heart goes out to the family..I'm sure he will be sorely missed. Valerie Hoffman-Blakely
Valerie Hoffman-Blakely
June 11, 2003 | Clio, MI
I am so sorry to read of the passing of such a wonderful person. I just returned from Chicago (6/9/03)and was saddened by the news in the Flint Journal. I went to school with Dennis and graduated with him (Flint Northern HS 1963). I hadn't seen him in years but I know what a terrible loss it is to the family and friends of such a kind, intelligent, and caring person. He was always a great person to be around. I know he has been an upright and honorable model for numerous people through the...
Bill Russell
June 10, 2003 | Flint, MI
The family won't know me.I am 77years old,and Dennis lived next door to me and my family when he was a lttle boy. We called him Denny, I remember his Mom, Harriet, called him Dennis. He was just as loving and such a good boy when he lived next to us on Trumbull.What a terrible loss for your family Im so sorry. God Bless You.Mrs Rex Parsell and Family
patsy parsell
June 10, 2003 | Sarasota, FL
Coach Gerace was not just my coach but my mentor and a 2nd father in high school. I will never forget him and the help he gave me to be the best. God Bless him and his family.
Cory Matthews
Flint Northern C/O 1990
Corwin Matthews
June 09, 2003 | Flint, MI
I would like to express my deepest sympathies for your loss. Coach Gerace was one of my favorite teachers and coaches, and the lessons he taught me have helped me through out my life. I think I can speak for the rest of the men who have played for him when I say he will be truly missed.
Lester Wells
June 09, 2003 | Lompoc, CA
I was shocked and saddened to see the passing of Mr. Gerace. He was a good man who cared a lot about his family and friends. My thoughts go out to Pat and the rest of the Gerace family.
Erik Veenhuis
June 08, 2003 | East Rutherford, NJ
Dennis was a good guy. I can remember even as a little kid growing up in Flint. Later on when I went to Mott Camp as a camper and even later when I was fortunate enough to be able to work there myself. He was a lot of fun being around. He was a good friend of my family through out his life. He will be missed.
Stephen Brown
June 08, 2003 | Lawrenceville, GA
As a former student of Mr. Gerace's I am extremely saddened by his death. He was my favorite teacher during high school. He was a wonderful, wonderful man who inspired us, as well as one of the few teachers who let you know he cared. He will be deeply missed, remembered, and appreciated for all he did for me.
Kira Tester
June 07, 2003 | Flint, MI
My good friend Dennis - the things we did together - church activities, highschool dances, parties. You were very special and will be missed by many people.
Joanne
Joanne Brandt
June 07, 2003 | Sunnyvale, CA
