Wm Dennis Facciolo

Wm Dennis Facciolo, 74, passed away peacefully in his home in Tampa, Florida, on May 10, 2025. Born on December 3, 1950, in New Castle, Delaware, Dennis lived a life marked by deep devotion to education, family, and the joy of living fully.
Dennis was the beloved son of Dolores and Albert Facciolo and the brother of Micheal Facciolo, all of whom preceded him in death. He was immensely proud of his heritage-his father being the son of an Italian immigrant-and he carried that legacy forward with pride and purpose. As the first in his family to attend college, Dennis earned a bachelor's degree from the University of Delaware and later a master's degree from Johns Hopkins University. His academic journey was not only a personal triumph but also a foundation for his lifelong commitment to education.
Dennis dedicated his professional life to shaping young minds and building inclusive educational communities. He began his career at Sanford School in Delaware, where he served as a teacher before becoming Head of the Middle School and later Director of Admission. His leadership and passion for student development continued at Tampa Preparatory School in Florida. Dennis was the architect of Tampa Prep's Middle School. He was hired in 1991 for his incredible intellect and vision to design a 6-8 grade program to complement Tampa Prep's high school. Dennis was the creator of the Middle School hubs, as well as the Middle School schedule that was followed for more than a decade before the first revision was ever undertaken. Dennis also served as the Director of Admissions from 2003 to 2021. His vision, manner, and incredible personality helped propel Tampa Prep into the highly respected educational institution that it is today. His efforts were recognized with the prestigious William B. Bretnall Award for Exemplary Contribution to the Field of Independent School Admissions that honored his excellence and innovation in the field.
Beyond his professional accomplishments, Dennis was a man who embraced life with enthusiasm and warmth. A history buff with an encyclopedic memory, he could draw maps from memory and recite countries and capitals with astonishing precision. He had an enduring romance with food-especially Italian cuisine-and delighted in cooking elaborate meals for friends and family. Hosting epic holiday parties became one of his trademarks; gatherings filled with laughter, music, good food, and heartfelt toasts were among his greatest joys.
Dennis loved running/walking along scenic routes, early mornings with coffee before sunrise, and evenings spent on the lanai raising a glass-be it beer or a perfectly crafted Manhattan-as the sun dipped below the horizon. He cherished drives to Frenchie's for grouper sandwiches with the top down on his convertible and found peace in beachside escapes.
He also had a passion for collecting Roman figurines and playsets-a reflection of both his love for history and his playful spirit. A devoted fan of hockey and football, Dennis enjoyed cheering on his favorite teams while surrounded by those he loved most.
Above all else, Dennis was deeply committed to his family. He is survived by his son Justin Facciolo and Justin's wife Anna, along with their sons Mason and Taj; his daughter Lindsey Angeles and her husband John, along with their children Logan, Audrey, and Kate. Dennis took immense pride in his children's accomplishments and found boundless joy in being "Pop-Pop" to his grandchildren. Dennis also leaves behind his beloved partner of 30 years, Larry Mee, whose unwavering love and gentle spirit were a constant source of comfort, joy and strength throughout their life together and especially in Dennis' final years.
Those who knew Dennis will remember him as someone who lit up every room he entered-with loyalty that never wavered, love that ran deep, stories that captivated listeners, and laughter that echoed long after he left. He made tremendous sacrifices to provide a better life for his children than he had known himself-a testament to both his strength of character and tireless dedication.
May Wm Dennis Facciolo's memory continue to bring comfort to those who knew him-and may we all carry forward the light he so generously shared during his remarkable life. A Visitation will be held on Saturday, May 17, 2025, from 05:00 PM to 07:00 PM at Gonzalez Funeral Home 7209 N Dale Mabry Hwy, Tampa, FL 33614.
A celebration of Dennis's life will be held at Tampa Preparatory School later this year (details to follow).
In lieu of flowers we ask that you donate in Dennis' name to the Lewy Body Dementia Association www.lbda.org and/or the Parkinson's Foundation www.parkinson.org.