Sincerest Sympathy In Such Great Loss and never to be forgotten are Denis and his family especially Bob and Scott while always appreciated being caretakers of our home with Denis being a backup if a problem arose when we would be away. In earlier years, our daughter Lynne and being older would be to the delight of Cathy and Julie a care giver “Baby Sitter” on occasion and it was always most enjoyable for all to frolic in the swimming pool. I, Don and also raised in Oldcastle well remember your Grandparents and Great Grand parents.

My memories of my brother Denis:

• I would like to share with you a few of my memories of my brother Denis.
• Denis was born little less than 2 years after me.
• Denis was born with a club foot that required special braces and several surgeries to correct. I can never recall him complaining, I only remember him always smiling either sitting in his wheel chair our on his crutches.
• I remember when television first became available the only shows we watched was, The Lone Ranger, Roy Rogers, and Hop-a-Long Cassidy, so naturally we had to be cowboys. We had the holsters and guns and hats and all cowboy toys.
• When we were a little older and Denis had recovered from all his surgeries, our Grandfather (Pepe) would pick us up on every Friday and take us to the farm for the weekend. Of course since we were cowboys we each had a pony to ride at the farm. Pepe would saddle up the two miserable little ponies and we would ride around in the orchard. They would try to buck us off and went wherever they wanted to go. We thought it was great fun. We became much better riders and graduated to much bigger horses over the years.
• When we were a little older Pepe taught us to drive the tractor and work the fields plowing or pulling the disks. When I think back to how young we were to have been trusted with such dangerous equipment, it’s frightening. We thrived and were proud of trust we were given and tried our hardest not to let him.
• We soon found that Pepe’s favorite saying was, “No Danger”. This comment drove our mother nuts thinking that he was putting her children at risk. She was right!
• Our brother Mark is a few years younger than Denis and I so he missed out on some of the farm adventures that Den and I had and besides there was only 2 tractors.
• I know Denis loved these times on the farm as well as I did, because when we eventually sold the farm after Mom passed away, he kept the Super C Farmall tractor. He couldn’t let be sold.
• In 1957 we moved to the farm in Oldcastle to live with my Grandfather. This put across the highway from our cousins, the Wellwoods. I think we played baseball in their yard at least 3 times a week as I recall. Denis and I were always on opposite teams playing with the girls. Harold was the pitcher, umpire and referee. We had so much fun. Denis and I never spoke much about it, but I am certain we each had our first childhood crushes on the Wellwood girls. I will refrain from naming names to protect the innocent.
• He loved to play all sports and usually succeeded at any that he tried, in spite of his early childhood surgeries for club feet. I never, ever, heard him complain or use it as an excuse. He was always a good sport with the biggest smile, win or lose. But believe me he wanted to win!
• In our late teens, we both worked at Parr Brothers Electric, which was just down the road from our farm. In this position, Denis was exposed to the electrical trade where began his apprenticeship to become an electrician.
• Al Parr, the owner did not limit his services to only electrical work. He would do anything for someone where he thought he could make a profit. He sent Denis and I out to insulate a chicken barn Belle River on the hottest day in July with a truck full of insulation and a blower with a half-mile hose. Neither of us knew what the heck we were doing. Al knew we would figure it out, and we did. We both learned so much working for Parr Brothers. It was a great life experience.
• Denis stayed working at Parr’s and eventually earned his journeyman’s electricians license.
• Denis was the most dependable and conscientious person I have known. Having employed many people over my working career I would say the he would be my role model of the ideal employee. He was trustworthy, loyal, dependable, resourceful, and determined to succeed, both personally and for his employer.
• I can never, ever remember hearing Denis saying a disparaging remark about anyone. Even in situations where he would have been justified in doing so, he never would say anything bad about them.
• Denis has four beautiful children and 10 adoring grand children. Once he started having children he was totally dedicated to them, as he was to his grandchildren.
• During a sad period in his life Denis found solitude in the Church. He became interested in counseling other Catholics who found themselves single. He attended a seminar at the Notre Dame University in Indiana where he met Lillian. I think this was gift from heaven, for each of them. I know it was for Denis.
• Denis was the kindest, most tolerant, most loving, most honest, most dependable, most honorable person I have ever met.
• Sounds like my hero!

• I think he was!

• I will miss him the rest of my life.

To Lillian and family.
My deepest condolences to you. I know that Denis and Lee will keep the lights burning brightly, until we are together forever.
Love Shirley.