Dennis Patrick Must

Dennis Patrick Must, age 90 of Salem, MA died on June 18, 2024, at home, surrounded by his loving wife of 49 years and two of his daughters. The oldest of five, Dennis was born on May 4, 1934, in New Castle, PA. He graduated in 1956 from Washington & Jefferson College with a major in philosophy and a minor in religion. He pursued graduate studies at the Princeton Theological Seminary and playwriting at the Iowa Writer's Workshop at the University of Iowa and at New York University. Early in his career, Dennis taught in secondary schools in Pittsburgh, PA and in New York City to support his creative pursuits. Through the 1960's and 70's, a time of great experimentation in the arts, he wrote, directed, and co-produced several off-off-off Broadway plays. Dennis also co-founded a successful corporate real estate firm during the real estate boom of the 1980's. The real estate crash closed the company's doors, but re-opened the opportunity to again devote himself to his writing.

From the 1990's through his final days, Dennis pursued his love of writing. His prose was notable for its lyricism, vivid evocative imagery, and strong sense of time and place. This prolific period yielded five novels, three short story collections, and dozens of publications in literary journals and anthologies, garnering numerous literary awards. Dennis drew on his working-class background- his stints as a short-order cook, lightning rod installer, florist, bartender, bellhop, laborer in a glass factory, steel mill, on highway crews, and with the Baltimore & Ohio Railroad. These experiences were some of the richest in his life, and the meaning he made from all of these have become the stories that he leaves behind. Dennis's favorite quote by Anais Nin: "We write to taste life twice."

Some of Dennis' happiest times were long scenic rides with his wife up the coast of the North Shore and Maine, eating by the water's edge, listening to and playing jazz, and sneaking table scraps to one of his many beloved dogs. Dennis is survived by his wife, Aviva Must of Salem, his daughters, Ariel Must and husband Kenneth Stallings of Brooklyn, NY, Shoshanna Must and husband Dan Marques of Larchmont, NY, Kim Must of Macon, GA, Kathy Detreaux of Hanalei, HI, and Shawn Must of Princeville, HI, and his nephew Jamie Must of Naples, FL; his two sisters, Kathleen Must and Terrylea Must of New Castle, PA, and his seven adoring grandchildren: Margaux and Olivia Stallings, Colette and Adrian Marques, and James, Sachi, and Destiny Detreaux. Dennis was predeceased by his parents, Joseph Frances Must and Margaret Daugherty, and his brother James Sherwood Must and sister Linda Must. He is also survived by his cherished writer friends and his beloved Black Lab mix, Josie.

Donations in his memory may be made to Red Hen Press (https://redhen.org) or the American Civil Liberties Union (https://www.aclu.org)