Andrew J. Dennis Sr.

GREEN - Andrew J. Dennis Sr., 89, of Green Township, passed away peacefully on Monday, June 11, 2012, at Forest Manor Health Care Center in Frelinghuysen.

Born in Deland, Fla., July 17, 1922, Andrew lived in Deland, where his mother, "Bessie" Martin Dennis, owned a store in nearby Orange City since the World War I era. His father, "Jack" Dennis, moved his family to Green Township in 1933 where he was a successful Sussex County farmer and businessman. Due to the hard times and coronary illness, "Jack" died after returning to New Jersey.

Andrew was unable to finish high school due to the financial hardships caused by the death of his father, who, like many others, had lost much money he invested due to the economic depression started by the 1929 "Crash" on Wall Street. Instead, Andrew, his mother and brother worked hard and were able to hold onto the farm. In the 1930s, as a young teenager, Andrew joined the CCC (Civilian Conservation Corps) on a project on the Pequest River in Huntsville, Green Township, that built the flood-control dam just upstream from the bridge, which has saved the bridge and homes located nearby.

Andrew enlisted in the United States Marine Corps in 1940. During the initial U.S. combat versus the Japanese attacks and defeats of our Pacific forces, he went ashore with the first assault wave on Guadalcanal Island. He served there as a tank driver/crewman/mechanic/gunner when manpower and supplies were cut off for months by the Japanese naval and air forces who sank many of our ships. Near the end of the 1st Division USMC's campaign on Guadalcanal, Sergeant Dennis, stricken with malaria and shellshock, was evacuated with many fellow Marines to New Zealand and Australia prior to his return home in mid-1943. At that time, he met his wife-for-life, Brita Losey Dennis, and they married Sept. 8, 1943. They were together until her passing on June 30, 2001. When our forces/personnel were cut back due to our victory, Sergeant First Class Dennis was honorably discharged after serving the USMC detachments in D.C. and the Brooklyn Naval Shipyard.

Following World War II, utilizing his prior farm, military tasks and further technical education, Mr. Dennis became a professional auto mechanic and equipment technician, specializing in engines, transmissions, air conditioning and refrigeration. He worked at Condit Ford in Newton for several years. In 1956, he began clearing property and building a modest home in Green Township, working weekends with the help of his sons, wife, a few relatives and some good friends.

While building his home, Mr. Dennis worked and lived in Newark from 1954 to 1958, where his mother had lived since 1932. In 1958, he moved from Newark to the family's home in Green Township and the home was finished in 1960. He was employed by United Airlines in Newark Airport until his retirement in 1985. During most of his time with United Airlines, he maintained and repaired ground equipment and the main food kitchens for their flights. Following his retirement, Mr. Dennis worked for Novo Motors in the Dover area, then also for his longtime good neighbors, the Cahill family, working on their fresh produce and flower farm equipment and barn. He was a member of the Tranquility United Methodist Church. During his last several years, Mr. Dennis was disabled by cerebrovascular and Alzheimer's disease, but still managed to live in his home until a crippling event sent him to Newton Medical Center in late May and more recently to Forest Manor Health Care Center.

Mr. Dennis was predeceased by his wife of more than 58 years, Brita L. Dennis; his brother, Clarence (1924-1996); and his nephew, Dale Dennis, who died in 2009 as a result of an automobile accident. He is survived by two sons, Andrew J. Dennis Jr., of Franklin, and George L. Dennis and wife, Nancy, of Mechanicsville, Va.; two grandchildren, Robin Dennis Inglesfield and husband, David, of London, England, and Beth Dennis of the Los Angeles area, California.

Funeral services will be held at 4 p.m. Saturday, June 16, at Smith-McCracken Funeral Home, 63 High St., Newton. Visitation will be held Saturday from 2 to 4 p.m. at the funeral home.

Mr. Dennis' ashes will be laid to rest in Andover Cemetery next to Brita L. Dennis.

Memorial donations may be made to the Alzheimer's Association, 400 Morris Ave., Suite 251, Denville, NJ 07834. Online condolences may be offered at www.smithmccrackenfuneralhome.com.