Dennis Howard "Denny" Beach

Dennis "Denny" Howard Beach, of Mackinaw City, died peacefully on December 9th at his son and daughter-in-law's home in Rockford after a year-long battle with colon surgeries and resulting complications. He had just turned 72. He was surrounded in his final days by his sweetheart of 56 years, Donna Beach, their children Amy Beach, Willy & Kirri Beach, and Glen & Wendy Beach. In addition, Denny's final wishes were to see and say goodbye to each of his 9 grandchildren, Isaac Terrian, Blaze & Cruze Beairl, Caleb & Ella Beach, Nora, Stella & Milo Beach, and Adalia Collins. He was able to hug them, have popsicles with them, and dole out his final words of wisdom while he was still coherent. His last days were indeed spent with his family, including his sister Sue Rose, many of Donna's twelve siblings and their spouses, many nieces and nephews and some of his closest friends. Those who were unable to visit, spoke to him on the phone, facetimed him or sent messages and texts that were all read aloud to him.

Born November 8th, 1953, Denny was a lifelong resident of Mackinaw City, along with his parents, Howard & Amy Beach, who owned the Mich-La Motel, across from the fort. Along with helping his parents and Donna run the motel, Denny was a town candymaker, a caretaker for Wawatam Beach residents, a town handyman, and a well-known Northern Michigan musician. He entertained for decades at private parties and weddings, and at local bars and restaurants, on the streets of Mackinaw, in the Mackinaw Crossings, and on the original dinner cruises in the Straits. He was always a crowd pleaser with his quick wit, his ability to engage with any audience, his balloon animals for kids, and his lively and popular song choices.

One of his greatest joys was teaching guitar and ukulele to anyone who wanted to learn, but particularly instilling his love of music while teaching his kids and grandkids. His other loves were riding his hand-crafted motorcycle with his wife, splitting and hauling wood, working on tile jobs for customers, carving wood into objects like motorcycles for his toddler grandsons or giant chainsaws and guns that he knew would get a great reaction, and attending sporting events and school activities of all of his grandchildren.

Denny will leave a massive void and will be intensely missed by his wife of 52 years, as well as by his entire family and circle of friends, and the community of Mackinaw City. A celebration of life will be held at St. Anthony's Catholic Church at 1:00 pm on Saturday, December 20, 2025. Following the Service the family ask you to join them in the church hall to share your favorite "Denny" story. We know they are countless and wonderful.