Hon. Dennis Stephen Helmick

On Wednesday, October 31, 2018, Dennis Helmick left his earthly body for the peace of the heavens. He was born in Cincinnati to Edward and Mary Helmick, the third of six children. Dennis was a model of hard work and service, both to his family and our community. He graduated from St. Xavier High School in 1965 and proceeded to study economics, history, and philosophy at Xavier University graduating in 1969. Dennis then studied law at University of Cincinnati and after receiving his juris doctor in 1972 he joined Wood + Lamping as an associate. In 1974, Dennis joined the Prosecutor’s Office as Asst. City Solicitor for 10 years then opened a private law practice in 1984. He served as a special counsel to the Ohio Attorney General between 1983 and 1990. In 1989, Dennis was elected to the Municipal court bench, serving in this role from 1990 to 2001, when he proceeded to take a seat on the Hamilton County Common Pleas Court bench, serving until December of 2012. Thereafter he served as a visiting judge for the Court of Common Pleas until his illness prevented it. His judicial career was frequently marked by recognition from the Cincinnati Bar Association as one of the finest judges on the bench. He was recognized as a distinguished alumnus from UC College of Law in 2013 for his career and service to the community. Dennis also placed great emphasis on volunteerism and service, from participating in the Leadership Cincinnati program and being elected twice to the Board of Trustees of the Cincinnati Bar Association, to an appointment by President Reagan to the Selective Service Board in 1981 where he served over 20 years, to serving his community through the St. Mary’s Parish Council. Dennis was an avid fan of the Xavier Musketeers and took great joy in taking friends and family to the Cincinnati Gardens and later Cintas Center to cheer the Muskies to victory. During the summer months, Dennis loved gardening and swimming, and often enjoyed scuba diving trips to the Caribbean. Dennis is survived by his devoted wife of 41 years, Bertha Garcia Helmick, his son Dr. Ryan A. Helmick and his wife Christine, and his daughter Caroline Helmick McNally and her husband Pete. Dennis also took immense joy in his grandchildren, Colin, Eva, and Alexandra. He will be deeply missed by his family, especially his siblings, Richard, Timothy, Mary Lynn, and Sally, and his brother-in-law, Frank Garcia, and their families. Mass of Christian burial will be Monday, November 5th at 9:30am at St. Rose Church. Visitation will be Sunday November 4th from 3pm to 6pm at Geo. H. Rohde & Son Funeral Home. In lieu of flowers memorials may be directed to St. Xavier High School, 600 W. North Bend Rd., Cincinnati, Ohio 45224 or Hospice of Cincinnati, P.O. Box 633597, Cincinnati, OH 45263.