Dennis R. Custer

1942 - 2023

Dennis R. Custer, 80, of West Granby, beloved husband of Joyce (Barbagallo) Custer passed away peacefully in his sleep on Thursday, February 2, 2023, at his home after several years battling chronic leukemia. He was born on June 29, 1942, in Ligonier, PA, son of the late Robert and Beulah (Gilman) Custer who paid the doctor $25 for his birth at home.

Dennis (Denny) enjoyed an idyllic childhood in rural Ligonier which helped grow his love of the outdoors, fishing, hunting (he died on Groundhog Day!), tools, target shooting and tinkering with cars and motorcycles.

After graduation from Ligonier High School, Dennis continued his education at Penn State where he studied mechanical engineering. While there he met the love of his life, Joyce Barbagallo of Philadelphia. For their first date he brought this city girl to the campus pig farm. Surprisingly, more dates were in the cards, and soon after Joyce's graduation they married on June 12, 1965. They returned to Penn State where Dennis completed his Master's Degree in Automatic Controls. A job at Hamilton Standard brought them to Granby, CT in 1966. Before retiring, Dennis had a 40-year engineering career with Jacobs Manufacturing of Bloomfield, CT.

He held 12 patents for the invention and designs of the Jake Brake, the famous and loud brake used by heavy trucks.

Dennis and Joyce bought land in 1968, and over seven years built a house in West Granby. Every nail was pounded in by his hand or by Joyce's or by any friend who dropped by. The decommissioned North Canton 1951 Ford fire truck #6 was the workhorse for the building supplies and a delight to all the Granby kids who received rides in its open bed and a thrill from its siren. Denny's boyhood interests turned into house-building projects of framing, roofing, heating, wiring, masonry and siding for their dream home, all much to his delight. He built an atypical man-cave, featuring a machine shop, a gunsmith bench, a radio and a rolling chair by a cozy wood stove. Dennis was known across northern CT as "the man who could fix anything", first by designing and then making the parts needed. Gunsmithing was his favorite hobby. Denny designed and built five muzzleloading rifles and several pistols which he often displayed at his CT Gun Guild meetings. He was commissioned to design the mechanisms for a limited edition Colt centennial rifle displayed at the Eastern States Exposition. He also kept the Granby American Legion's salute rifles in good working order. He was an avid beekeeper and co-designed a unique moisture-reducing insert for beehives. As members of the American Society of Dowsers, Dennis and Joyce found well locations for many local landowners. This service was especially appreciated by the homeowners whose wells ran dry during recent droughts.

Dennis's parenting style was gentle, patient and loving. He enjoyed his kids by teaching and doing. It was peaceful to be by his side and easy to enjoy his wry sense of humor. His children joined him in his many interests which included his childhood hobbies and later additions of welding, metal working, beekeeping, working on vehicles, nature hikes, and caring for both a small orchard and a half acre organic garden. Denny also held a blasting license and enjoyed ways to make pumpkins, water jugs and boulders explode. His children learned a lot.

His idea for a dream car was a red and white Checker which he bought new in 1977. He treasured his Harley Davidson Electra Glide Sport which he brought in from the cold each winter and displayed under motion sensor lights in the living room. Joyce and Denny and many of their cycle-riding family and friends enjoyed fun day rides in CT and longer trips to surrounding states.

Besides his wife, Joyce, he is survived by three children, Doreen McWhirter (Greg) of North Granby, Dawn Burns of West Granby, Derek Custer (Chiara DiFronzo) of West Granby; and was the proud Pap-Pap to his five grandchildren, Scott, Matthew, and Mark McWhirter and Callie and Colton Custer; and a brother-in-law, Barry Tuttle; he also leaves a nephew, nieces, and several cousins. He was predeceased by his sister, Carol Custer Tuttle.

His family will receive friends on Saturday, February 11, 2023, from 2-5 PM, with a prayer service to begin around 4PM at Hayes-Huling & Carmon Funeral Home, 364 Salmon Brook St., Granby, CT. Those who wish may send memorial contributions to the American Society for Dowsers at www.dowsers.org. To leave on-line condolences please visit www.carmonfuneralhome.com.