Dennis Hegarty

Dennis Patrick Hegarty
January 26, 1956 - August 7, 2025
Beloved husband, father and friend, Dennis Patrick Hegarty, age 69, of Chuckey, Tennessee, peacefully passed at Greeneville Community Hospital on Thursday August 7th.
He was born in Levittown, New York in 1956 to William and May Hegarty. He began working at a gas station after school where he developed a passion for working on cars and trucks. Dennis was a proud mechanic. His expertise led him to owning his own body shop in Farmingdale, New York. He worked on motorcycles, cars, trucks and tractor trailers. No job was too big or too damaged for his talent and skills.
Dennis met his beloved wife of 41 years, Barbara, in 1983 in Howard Beach, Queens, New York. Their relationship developed when they met on the same street as neighbors. After visiting family in Tennessee they fell in love with the area. They later moved to Chuckey where they bought their first home. This is where they welcomed their only child Jacklyn (Hegarty) Rice.
Dennis is lovingly remembered for his involvement in Jacklyn's life through school, sports and activities. Everyone who knew Dennis knew how much he loved everyone he met. He never knew a stranger, and would always go out of his way to smile and wave at someone. We couldn't have asked for a better parent, husband, or friend and will miss him every day. His memory will live on in the hearts of all those who knew him.
Dennis was preceded in death by his father William Hegarty, his mother May Hegarty, his sister Peggy Vilmanis, and his sister Kathy Setser. He is survived by his wife Barbara Hegarty, daughter Jacklyn Rice (Collin Rice), son Dennis Hegarty (wife Jessica), brother William "Bill" Hegarty, sister Gail Weber, nephew Michael Hegarty (wife Nikki), nieces Katherine Olson and Barbara Rung, special nephew Billy Hegarty, and special niece Margret Graham.
The family would like to thank the special individuals at LifeCare Center of Greeneville and Greeneville Community Hospital for their love and care of Dennis.
Visitation will be on Friday, August 15th at Jeffers Funeral Home on North College Street from 3-4pm and 5-7pm. The graveside service will be on Saturday, August 16th at 11 am with the procession meeting at 10am at Jeffers. He will be laid to rest at the Ragsdale Family Cemetery on Quaker Knob Road in Chuckey.