DENNIS MUST

MUST--Dennis Patrick. Dennis Patrick Must, age 90, of Salem, MA died on June 18, 2024, at home, surrounded by his loving wife and two of his daughters. Born May 4, 1934, in New Castle, PA, he graduated Washington & Jefferson College in 1956 and pursued graduate studies at the Princeton Theological Seminary and playwriting at the Iowa Writer's Workshop, and at New York University. Early in his career, Dennis taught in secondary schools in Pittsburgh, PA and in New York City. In the 1960's and 70's, he wrote, directed, and co- produced several off-off-off Broadway plays. Dennis also co-founded a successful corporate real estate firm during the 1980's real estate boom. From the 1990's to his final days, Dennis pursued his love of writing. His prose was notable for its lyricism, vivid evocative imagery, and strong sense of time and place. This prolific period yielded five novels, three short story collections, and dozens of works in literary journals and anthologies, garnering numerous literary awards. Dennis drew on his working-class background- his stints as a short-order cook, lightning rod installer, florist, bartender, bellhop, laborer in a glass factory, steel mill, on highway crews, and the Baltimore & Ohio Railroad. Some of the richest experiences in his life, he liked to quote Anais Nin: "We write to taste life twice." Dennis is survived by his wife, Aviva Must of Salem, his daughters, Shoshanna Must and Ariel Must of New York, Kim Must of Georgia, Kathy Detreaux and Shawn Must of Hawaii and his nephew Jamie Must of Florida; his two sisters, Kathleen Must and Terrylea Must of Pennsylvania, and seven adoring grandchildren. Dennis was predeceased by his parents, Joseph Frances Must and Margaret Daugherty, and his brother James Sherwood Must and sister Linda Must. He is also survived by his cherished writer friends and his beloved Black Lab mix, Josie.