MECHANICVILLE - Stephen Dennis, 95, of Greenwood Ave., died Sunday, Apr. 8th at home, after a brief illness. Born in Riverside, Town of Stillwater, son of the late Wesley and Katherine Dennis, he grew up in Frog Island’s Champlain Ave. A student of Mechanicville High School, he left school to join the US Navy weeks after the attack on Pearl Harbor. He served aboard the USS Atlanta CL-51, which was sunk during the battle for Guadalcanal on Nov. 13, 1942. Over 1/3 of his fellow crewmates died that day. Stephen then served on PT boats and the USS Ancon AGC-4 communicating the Japanese surrender ceremony back to the USA, and earned 21 Navy Battle Stars.
After the war, he met and married his wife Mary McDonald Dennis in Boston, and they returned to Mechanicville and raised their family on Greenwood Ave.
Stephen worked as an electrician for the former West Virginia Pulp and Paper Co, until the plant closed in 1971. Thereafter he worked at Adirondack Steel of 10 years, retiring in 1984.
Stephen was a proud Navy veteran, and after his wife died, he met his best friend for the rest of his life, William Wicks at a veteran’s event. He and Bill then became regular fixtures at veteran’s functions. They developed a relationship with NY State Senator Marchione, because of her great support of veteran’s. Senator Marchione nominated and inducted Stephen into the New York State Veterans Hall of Fame in 2015. Steve also traveled with friend Bill to the Four Chaplains Memorial, Philadelphia in support of vets.
Steve was an avid and very successful investor and stock picker and also enjoyed traveling to Florida and Las Vegas with his wife Mary and latter to area casinos with his children. Steve forever had a beaming smile on his face and pleasant full and healthy life and was driving his new car as recently as Feb.
Steve was predeceased by his wife of 64 years Mary in 2010, and brothers Andrew, Frank, Joseph and John.
Survivors include his three proud children: Barbara (James) Wendt of Rexford, John (Frances) Dennis and Carol (Anthony) Cimino both of Mechanicville. Also 6 loving grandkids Stephen Dennis, Carol (Brian) Lichorowiec, Colleen Wendt, Laura Dennis, Deanna Cimino and Katherine (Greg) Cresci, along with great grandkids James, Josephine, Bode and Rory. Also a brother William (Janet) Dennis of Cohoes, along with nieces, nephews and their families.
A Funeral Service will be held on Tuesday evening at 7 PM at the DeVito-Salvadore Funeral Home, Mechanicville. Calling hours at Funeral Home Tuesday 5-7 PM.
A Burial Service with military honors will be held on Wednesday at 10 Am at the Saratoga National Cemetery. Those wishing to attend are asked to arrive at cemetery at 9:45 AM.
In lieu of flowers, remembrances are asked to either the Four Chaplin’s Memorial Fund or Patriot Flight Inc. in respectful memory of Stephen Dennis.