Dennis George Dado was a self-proclaimed wanderer, literary critic and seeker of knowledge. Though, more important to Dennis was that he was loved by his family. At the age of 71, he passed away on January 19, 2018 in Calabasas, California with his son and nephew by his side.

Dennis was born and raised in Bakersfield, California and was a member of the St. Francis parish. He graduated from Garces High School in 1964, where he was an exceptional student and football player. He had a ball at UC Berkeley in the late 1960s, where on his visits home his mother would insist on clothing being left outside to be washed clean of a now-legal substance before entering the house. He earned his bachelor's degree in 1968, after which he would become a fervent Cal alum, and he went on to also earn a Master's degree in Environmental Science from Cal State Northridge. His spent his career as a dedicated high-school English teacher at Thousand Oaks High School in southern California. Over 30 years, his students have long remembered spirited discussions prompted by his relentless enthusiasm for the subjects he taught and knew him as "the man you cannot outrun". He cared deeply for his two sons, David and Thomas, whom he shared with former wife Susanna Sciutto. He was a life-long learner, avid traveler and appreciated good food, culture and football. His love for books and vigorous debate livened dinner conversation, and left no doubt that he was a true scholar at heart.

Dennis is preceded in death by his parents, Amos and Florence Dado, as well as his son, David Dado. He is survived by his son and daughter-in-law, Thomas and Katee Dado and step-grandson Daniel, of Ventura, California, and his sister, Mary Clark of Ann Arbor, Michigan. He was also blessed with many nieces, nephews, great-nieces and great-nephews. The last ten years of his life were particularly difficult ones. He was cared for by his sister and nephew, Vincent Clark, who managed his treatment for advanced early-onset Alzheimer's disease.

A special thanks to Marina and Nick Anifantis for their care and support of Dennis during this time. The family suggests that Dennis be honored by a donation to the Alzheimer's Foundation of America https://alzfdn.org/support-us/donate/.

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Published by Bakersfield Californian on Jan. 25, 2018.

Memories and Condolences
for Dennis Dado

Sponsored by Charles Carroll Funeral Home.

15 Entries

Msgr. Jon F. Majarucon

April 26, 2024

I had Mr. Dado for American Lit at Santa Clara High School. (1974?) We read the book "To Build a Fire", huddled together in groups of 4, with the windows wide open in January. We were freezing. I became a voracious reader after that. I keep a personal Necrology and pray for David and Dennis every day. RIP and thank you for being so good to me in my formative years of High School.
Rev. Msgr. Jon F. Majarucon
Senior Priest
Assumption Church, Ventura California.

Sara Cox Magallanes

November 28, 2020

Mr. Dado
I have so many memories of you from high school. On my very first day of other 9th grade you told the class when you first walked in ..."ok let's get one thing straight I cant stand freshman!!" I was terrified coming from a private junior high. However by the end of the year you were absolutely my favorite teacher!. I also had the pleasure of having you for driver's training and you told me I'd never have full control of a vehicle because of my height. :-) twenty years later I went to a retirement party for someone with the TOHS staff and pulled up in my ford excursion and the smile on your face was priceless. You were an awesome person and teacher. RIP Mr. D
Sara Cox Magallanes

Bill Morgan

August 1, 2019

Mr. Dado was my teacher for all four years at TOHS and he always made life interesting.

His enthusiasm for life was infectious and he led us to produce many great yearbooks at the school. We had a good time while at the same time being held to a high standard.

Rest In Peace sir.

Mike BURAU

June 12, 2019

Mr Dado was a premium example of what a teacher and a man should be. Between his humor and care, anybody who was in his class was lucky!

In 1992 he left such an impression with me in that today I googled his name to see if I could connect with him. I am saddened to discover that he passed. His encouragements and overall positive impressions have lived on in my life. Thank you Mr. Dado!!

Quick funny story. Another student and I had fallen asleep in his class one day. Rather than discipline, he decided to quietly switch the entire class of students with another class of students. He went to the classroom next door and that teacher agreed to his plot. We awoke to another teacher loudly reciting history citations. I soon saw Mr. Dado outside through the window and he was laughing so hard. He was classic! Sometime around 2000 was the last time that I saw Mr. Dado at the Ventura Fairgrounds. He chuckled when I brought up that story.

Anyway, much love and condolences to the family of Mr. Dado. He was a good man.

March 9, 2019

My sincere condolences to the family. May God give you the comfort you need in this difficult time. 2 Cor. 1:4.

Greg K

March 5, 2019

Mr Dado was my yearbook advisor at TOHS in 1980 A very memorable and dynamic man. He will certainly be missed in the world.

S H

July 5, 2018

Heartfelt sympathy goes out to the family and friends during this most difficult time. I hope that the promise at 1Thessalonians 4:14 will bring you comfort. Knowing that there is a future for the ones we have lost in death can be reassuring.

Anita Pownall

February 20, 2018

So sad to hear of Mr. Dado's passing. He was the one who recruited me for the yearbook staff at T.O.H.S. in my senior year "because I was a good writer." Years later when I got my teaching credential I was back at the high school and let him know. He said, "It was about time." I guess he saw something in me that I hadn't before that. There are probably many more stories that are similar to mine. He was inspiring.

Mark Garibaldi

January 25, 2018

Condolences and prayers for the Dado Family. I never met Dennis, but his sister Mary was a great teacher of mine at St. Francis School. God Bless all of you.

Bill Miller

January 25, 2018

Mr. Dado, was my English Teacher at Santa Clara H.S. for 3 years. He was a great and understanding guy. After the "Apple Assassination incident of '74" , in the Junior Lunch Area, he defended me to the Vice Principle, Mr Parizo. Afterwards, I apologized, he still believed, I didn't do it. He helped me many times and wrote glowing recommendations, to Colleges and the Service Academies. He's a good and noble man! The World will miss his presence. But he will be immortal in our memories.

Lance Erie

January 25, 2018

I was deeply saddened to learn of Dennis' death. He was a valued and appreciated colleague at Thousand Oaks High School, and his joy for teaching and his students exemplified the finest qualities of the TOHS staff. Like many others who worked with him, I have many fond memories of Dennis. Rest In Peace my friend.

Joe Pfeiler

January 25, 2018

Terribly sorry to see this. I remember Dennis from when he taught at Santa Clara High in Oxnard.

One morning after I graduated, I stopped at McDonald's on my way to Ventura College and ran into Dennis there. We had breakfast together. He made me feel like a worthy human being just by giving me his time that morning.

I've always wished I could've seen him again as an adult.

My thoughts are with the family.

John Ramirez

January 25, 2018

I was fortunate to meet Dennis as a young teacher. He was head of our English Department at Santa Clara High in 1973
I taught speech and Spanish. He was vibrant,passionate and caring.
Somos Compadres
John Ramirez

J. Wright

January 25, 2018

Went to St. Francis with Dennis. For some reason I always thought his birthday was March 3rd, since his birthday fell two days after my fathers. We also went to Garces Jr. High, where he was in Brother George's class. Very sorry to hear of his passing. My condolences to his family.

Connie

January 25, 2018

May the God of comfort be with you at this time

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