Richard Dennis

Waterford – Richard Allen "Denny" Dennis of Waterford died Sunday, July 20, 2014 at Lawrence & Memorial Hospital after a hard-fought battle with cancer. He was 67 and had lived in Ridgewood Park for 28 years. Denny was the husband of Susan (Conboy) McCaslin Dennis, who he married Dec. 20, 1986 at the Vaux Hall in New London. Born July 10, 1947 in Orange County, Calif., he was the son of The Late Viola Hope (Lobo) Brown and The Late Melvin Eugene Dennis. He joined the U.S. Navy in Denver, Colo. in 1964 and served as a submariner until 1974 when he was honorably discharged. Denny served aboard USS Alexander Hamilton, USS Sturgeon and USS Cavella where he held the rank of U.S. Navy Sonar Technician First Class (Submarine). He was leading sonar man on board Sturgeon and Cavalla. He has been awarded numerous Navy commendation ribbons, good conduct medal, navy expeditionary medal, national defense service medal, submarine Polaris patrol pin and submarine dolphins. He was a Vietnam Veteran. The leading technician for towed array fabrication at Naval Under Sea Warfare Center (NUWC) Division Newport (R.I.) He was considered an expert in towed array fabrication and received numerous commendations from his company. Since 1987, he had been employed by BAE Systems as an engineering technician. He authored numerous technical manuals and secured many patents for the government. Among Denny's many interests was the well-being of our veterans and he did much work on their behalf through Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 189 New London. He was Post Quartermaster for many years and was a past VFW Man of the Year. Denny was a 32nd Degree Mason affiliated with Bay View Lodge, Niantic and was also a Shriner. He was a member of SubVets, Groton Base, and the American Legion, Post 9, in New London. He was a 25-year member of New London Lodge of Elks 360. Denny was a proud tribal member of the Juaneno Band of Mission Indians, Acjachemen Nation, a Native American Tribe from San Juan Capistrano, one of the Historic California Missions. In past years, Denny was an active volunteer with the former Marine Commerce and Development Commitiee (MCDC) and the Annual Pappy's Run. A longtime Harley-Davidson rider, he had traveled extensively on his beloved bike and was the owner of the former Whaling City Motorcycle in New London. He was the "Go to Guy" for many riders in Eastern Connecticut. Denny had a wide range of interests and seemed to be able to fix almost anything. In addition to his wife, he is survived by her son, Sean K. McCaslin and his partner, Kyle Smith of New London. Also surviving are his son Richard Allen Dennis, Jr. and several grandchildren; his sisters, Carol (Brown) Parent and Ken of Lake Worth, FL., Susan Brown of Missouri, Kelly (Dennis) Conover of Stephensville, MT; and brothers, William Brown Jr. and Arnold Brown. Also, a special Uncle, Harley "Wick" Lobo and Aunt Carol of Laguna Niguel, Calif., He is predeceased by his sister, Barbara (Dennis) Euteneier. The funeral service will be at 11AM, Saturday, July 26, 2014 at The Thomas L. Neilan & Sons Funeral Home, 12 Ocean Avenue, New London. Burial will follow with Military Honors in St. Mary Cemetery, New London. Calling Hours will be from 9AM to the time of the service. Contributions in Memory of Denny may be directed to: Juaneno Band of Mission Indians Acjachemen Nation 31411-A LaMatanza St. San Juan Capistrano, CA 92675 ATTN: Kim Olivares Leone, Secretary/Treasurer