Dennis Jr. , Daniel R.

Daniel Raymond Dennis, Jr, 78, of Norwich, CT, passed away on February 13th, 2023 at home surrounded by his adoring family.

Born December 11th, 1944, in New London, CT, Dan was the only child of the late Daniel and Nanette (Hammel) Dennis. After attending St. Patrick's Cathedral School and St. Bernard High School, he graduated from Bryant College in 1966. Dan also completed a postgraduate program at the Williams College School of Banking in 1972. He had a long and successful career in banking which spanned thirty-six years. Dan started at Hartford National Bank and Trust Company in 1966, where he rose to the rank of Vice President and Norwich Area Manager, before joining the Norwich Savings Society as Vice President and Senior Lending Officer in 1981. By 1985, Dan was named President and Chief Executive Officer of the bank and eventually brought the institution to be publicly traded. In 1988 he was named Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer of the Norwich Financial Corporation, the holding company of the Norwich Savings Society. Dan retired in 2002 as Senior Vice President of People's United Bank, Norwich Savings having merged with People's in 1998. Dan's success in banking can be credited not only to his pragmatic common sense and knack for predicting the direction of interest rates, but more importantly to his ability to build relationships and his respect for all people. He believed everyone at the bank was equally important, from the Chairman of the Board to the teller to the custodian; and his actions embodied this belief. Community service is also part of Dan's legacy, having participated in and supported numerous civic and community organizations. Dan loved Norwich and was dedicated to the growth and development of the Rose City. This commitment was especially apparent through his involvement in the Norwich Community Development Corporation beginning in 1977 where he served in multiple roles including Assistant Treasurer, Treasurer, and President. His work at NCDC contributed to the expansion of the Norwich Industrial Park, the Church Street Historic Reconstruction Project, the Norwich Courthouse, the Thomas Dodd Memorial Stadium as well as the Mercantile Exchange Building Project. He was a Corporator of The William W. Backus Hospital starting in 1985, Director of Backus Properties from 1988-1993 and Director of W.W.B. Corporation since 1993. Dan was also a Corporator at Lawrence and Memorial Hospital from 1993 to 2001. He was active in the Boy Scouts of America, Troop 20, serving as Treasurer and Assistant Scout Master. Dan also served for many years as a Trustee to the Mashantucket Pequot Tribal Endowment Trust. He served on multiple boards including The Banks Association of CT, The Connecticut Bankers Association, The Savings Bank Life Insurance Company of CT, Inc., The United Way of Southeastern CT, Metro Hartford Chamber of Commerce, Easter Seals Society, and the YMCA. In recognition of his commitment and contributions, Dan was named the 46th Citizen of the Year in 1996 by the Eastern Connecticut Chamber of Commerce. He was a lifetime member of the Friendly Sons of St. Patrick; and at the time of his death, he was also a Corporator of Chelsea Groton Bank.

Dan was especially proud of his military service, having served in the United States Army as a member of the Connecticut National Guard from 1966 to 1972, assigned to the 1109th Transportation Company, 162nd Transportation Battalion. He also was a lifetime member, past Secretary, and Treasurer of the East Great Plain Volunteer Fire Company in Norwich. He especially enjoyed the comradery and relationships built in the fire service. Dan also greatly enjoyed his experiences and relationships formed through his membership in the Westbrook Fishing Club where he served on the Board of Directors and was the longtime hunt master, a role he relished.

Dan leaves behind the love of his life, his wife of 42 years, Janice. Dan and Jan were married at The Pequot Chapel in New London in 1980 and shared an extraordinary, unmatched bond. He is also survived by his mother-in-law, Donna Deveau of Norwich with whom Dan shared a special relationship. Dan's happiest times were those spent with his family; and his proudest accomplishments were his children and grandchildren. He is survived by three children, Daniel Raymond Dennis III and Esther O. Dennis of Columbia, SC; Colonel (Ret) Thomas Dennis and Dawn Works-dennis of Norwich; and Colleen Dennis Sullivan of Norwich. Dan's greatest joy came from his grandchildren for whom he was deeply cherished “Boompa”. Dan's legacy lives on in them, as they carry on his favorite pastimes including hunting, fishing, travel, fine dining, golf, and skiing. Most importantly, they carry on his expectation that all people be treated with kindness and respect. He is survived by Amelia, Trevor, Jace and Daniel Raymond Dennis IV or “Z” of Columbia, SC; Thomas, Caroline, and Christopher Dennis of Griswold, CT; and Brendan, Jack, and Seamus Sullivan of Norwich. Dan will also be missed by his former daughter-in-law, Michelle O. Dennis and former son-in-law, James M. Sullivan as well as his son, Joaquin Sullivan, which is a testament to Dan's faith in family. Dan also leaves behind his beloved and loyal canine companion, Bailey who remained at his side throughout his debilitating illness and who will miss him terribly.

Calling hours will be held on Thursday, February 16th from 4 to 7pm at the Church and Allen Funeral Home at 136 Sachem Street in Norwich. Funeral Mass will be held on Friday, February 17th at 10am at The Cathedral of St. Patrick at 213 Broadway in Norwich. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in Dan's memory to Family Connection of South Carolina at www.familyconnectionsc.org. The family would also like to recognize and offer gratitude to Julie Akinrinade of Hartford Healthcare's Independence at Home for her love and gentle care of Dan “Poppa” these last several months.