Joseph Vincent Dennison

Born in Buffalo, New York to Ann Knapik DeJac and raised lovingly by Ann with Carl Dennison, surrounded by Mikolajek aunts, uncles and cousins, Joe discovered a life of service very early. As a High Schooler at Kenmore High School, he volunteered as a junior firefighter at Kenilworth Fire Hall leading to another call to serve in the US Navy upon high school graduation in 1959. As a navy jet serviceman, Joe unearthed a passion for all things Naval Aviation. He was honorably discharged from active duty in 1962 and continued serving one year with the Navy Reserves. 1963 saw Joe marry the love of his life, Patricia Mary Burke Dennison, from the Bronx, New York, and begin his career as an engineer with the New York Telephone companies. Both endeavors would serve as the chosen framework of his life for decades to come.

Family became his true focus as he welcomed his first three daughters: Denise, Kelly and Patty. Life as a young father proved busy and fulfilling, however, tragedy struck with the sudden death of his daughter, Denise, at the tender age of nearly twelve. This galvanizing event cemented Joe’s dedication to his family and his faith. Thus, in the years that followed, Pat & Joe celebrated having two more daughters, Mary and Faith. This nucleus of family, his Kettering neighborhood of close friends, Blessed Sacrament and Cardinal O’Hara booster activities, the Burke family reunions, plus work friends that joined as teammates on softball fields and bowling alleys - provided the hustle, bustle and countless profound connections amongst Joe, his WNY Community and beyond.

The Dennison Girls, including his Pat, were the center of his world and his life was a living embodiment of his family-first mentality. Those girls charged mightily out into the world and Joe became a vital part of every friend group, sports team, and professional pursuit. Joe took enormous satisfaction in providing the ‘Dad vibe’ for anyone pulled into his orbit that could use a shepherding presence in their life. Naturally, becoming a grandparent (Poppa) to Andrew, Lily and Thomas came easily. As the years rolled by, the time came to leave his beloved Buffalo and move South. A new adventure in the Carolinas, where Kelly and Faith lived, yielded new friendships and much travel while still making time to visit the forever friends for the celebrations of life’s milestones. April 2019 took his Pat to be with Denise and the years of Pat’s illness and since her passing have been an adjustment. Poppa Joe’s resilience and positivity shined through again these past few years as he cherished hosting friends near and far and began traveling more than ever. Joe is known for his warmth, his earnest laugh, his genuine care and most of all – his big bear hug! This November found Joe with an aggressive illness which he met head on. Surrounded by his girls, and completely on his own terms, Joe peacefully slipped away to rejoin his bride and daughter.

A celebration of life will occur in Buffalo, NY in late January with details to follow. Go Bills

In honor of Joseph's memory and a charity he supported, the family requests that, in lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Second Harvest Food Bank of Metrolina.