Dennis P. Pratt

Dennis P. Pratt
Born: February 25, 1961, Died: May 19, 2024
Dennis was born on February 25, 1961, to Mary and Lawrence Pratt of Arlington, VT at Putnam Memorial Hospital, Bennington, VT.
Mary always said that she knew something was different with this pregnancy, having had 4 other babies she expected more movement.
Mary's mother's instincts were right, Dennis was born with Spina Bifida, a birth defect that occurs when the spinal cord and the vertebra don't develop normally due to incomplete closure of the spine and membranes around the spinal cord during pregnancy.
Dennis needed an operation to repair the affected area of his lower back, his survival rate was low. The only hospital in Vermont that could perform this delicate operation was Bishop DeGoesbriand Hospital in Burlington, VT, 3 hours away from Bennington.
The questions then became: · How to safely transport this baby so he doesn't move or get jostled? · Who will transport him (no ambulance service at that time)?
A bassinet was arranged and fitted to keep Dennis still. Lawrence and Betty Putnam, Dennis's aunt and RN drove Dennis to Burlington.
Mary recalls seeing her newborn son just before he was taken to Burlington. She says she had 4 healthy children at home that needed her therefore she left Dennis in God's hands. Several weeks later, Mary received a call from Bishop DeGoesbriand Hospital telling her that the family could pick up their son.
Mary told Dennis that he was born to the right family, at the right time in the right village. From the start Dennis and the family had the support of so many caring people as he underwent several operations and much physical discomfort. The one thing that we all remember is that he was a happy child.
Dennis attended regular school. The then private kindergarten classroom was up a long flight of stairs. After seeing Mary carry Dennis up the stairs a local man whose son was in the same grade as Dennis told her, "I will be here every day to take him up the stairs."
Elementary school was an easier place to maneuver for Dennis as it was ground level and he had learned to walk with crutches. His biggest obstacle was the school bus as he couldn't swing his legs high enough to reach the first step. No worries, the bus driver came down to lift Dennis to the first step.
Although in this day and age handicapped individuals have fewer obstacles to manage these are just two examples of 'it took a village'. Between Dennis and Mary, they counted up 17 operations when he was young.
Dennis had a love affair with cats which began when he was young. Missy was a family cat who had a litter of kittens every time Dennis recuperated from an operation. He would play, cuddle, and sleep with kittens curled up with him.
Out of the three cats that he adopted an all-black tiny kitten named Squirty was his favorite. When Squirty first saw Dennis in a wheelchair, this tiny kitten walked over to him and climbed up his leg to take a closer look. It was love at first sight for both. Squirty knew instinctively how to stay out of the way of the wheels. Dennis was most proud of the fact that he taught Squirty how to follow his finger to find the cat treats he missed.
Dennis loved music, he took lessons on the guitar and played in the family campground business for all to enjoy. Two of his favorite songs to strum were 'Stairway to Heaven' and 'Hotel California'. As a music lover, he attended an incredible number of live concerts, now known as 'Classic Rock'. He purchased mostly black t-shirts from the groups he saw to prove it.
At Arlington Memorial High School, Dennis was on stage performing such characters as a wizard in a tree and The Major in 'Bye, Bye, Birdie'. His steel-cuffed crutches were an easy way to spot him swinging onto the stage. Dennis also played the coronet in the band and was the scorekeeper for every team sport. Nothing ever stopped Dennis from leading a full life.
A big-time gamer, Dennis said he was in a store when he spotted the end cap featuring 'Dungeons and Dragons'. He became a Dungeon Master and hosted several weekly games. These games inspired four of his nephews and nieces to learn more. He was such an enthusiast that he invested in new games that appealed to him on the Kickstarter website.
As Dennis aged he experienced more medical issues. He bounced back from the edge of life many times. However, last year it became harder for his body to tolerate dialysis and he was told that there wasn't anything more to be done. He entered hospice care.
One more time Dennis defied the odds and lived longer than expected. He voiced all the desires that he wanted to experience one more time. The family gathered around him, he ate whatever he wanted to, played his guitar, and played 3 different role-playing games with his nephew, and 4 great-nieces.
Most of all he talked about his legacy. For many friends, family, and colleagues he was the one to sit, listen, and give comfort. His greatest joy was gathering people together, especially four great-nieces, to play his beloved board games.
His passing was peaceful while he listened to a cat purr and to the falling rain at McClure Miller Respite House in Colchester, VT.
Dennis loved his cats. His beloved Squirty was adopted from Second Chance Animal Center, 1779 VT Route 7A, Shaftsbury, VT. Donations in Dennis's memory are very appreciated.
His mother Mary Pratt McCreery, sisters Molly Douglas and Lesley Nase, brothers Peter Pratt and Joel Pratt will miss his smile and laughter as will his 10 nieces and nephews and great nieces and nephews.
'Celebration of Life for Dennis Pratt' will be held on July 20th in Arlington at 4903 River Road from 1-4 PM. Casual dress. Musicians welcome. Share memories.