Michael "Mike" Harvey Dennis

Michael “Mike” Harvey Dennis

Commander Michael “Mike” Harvey Dennis, USCG Ret. of Hitchcock, TX entered his heavenly home and joined his loving wife, on May 11, 2022.  Born January 27, 1938, in Boston Massachusetts, Mike was a beloved father, brother, uncle, great uncle, and friend. 

He was preceded in death by his wife, Brenda of Hitchcock, TX, and parents, Louis and Esther Dennis of Miami, FL.  He is survived by devoted twin daughters, Debbie Landis and her partner, Richard Scoble of Reno, NV, and Diane Zwinak and her husband, Bernard of Mount Airy, MD.  He is also survived by brother, Dr. Jeffrey Dennis and his wife, Ronnie, of Ft. Lauderdale, FL; sister Gail Dennis and her husband, Robert Connelly of Ithaca, NY; niece, Lori Katz and her husband, Jonny, of Ft. Lauderdale, FL; nephew, Scott and his wife, Lynn of Ft. Lauderdale, FL; nephew, Randal Dennis and his ,wife Salome of Boca Raton, FL; nephew, Benjamin Dennis of Ft. Lauderdale, FL; niece, Karen Pichel of Jerusalem, Israel, nephew, Aaron Pichel of Ithaca, NY and nephew, Abrahm Connelly of Ithaca, NY. Mike will be dearly missed by friends and family, including great-nieces and nephews Brandon, Cameron, Lilly, Hannah, Dylan, Nyle, Renée, Vier, and Benjamin.  He is also survived by lifelong friend, David Donoghue and his wife, Maryann of Wichita, KS, whom he loved like a brother.

Mike graduated with honors in the 1962 class of the Massachusetts Maritime Academy, where he earned a BS in Seamanship and Navigation, entering USCG service the following year.  During his 22-year tenure in the Coast Guard, he was a decorated sailor and a respected leader.  He had the honor of serving as the Executive Officer on board the USCGC Taney, the last commissioned ship from Pearl Harbor (now a museum ship in Baltimore Harbor designated USCG Cutter 37).  Cmdr. Dennis retired after serving as Executive Officer of the Galveston Coast Guard Station in 1985 and remained in Hitchcock, Texas to work as a Marine Inspector until his retirement in 1994. 

Mike Dennis was an enigma, having both a scientific mind and a master of artistry, particularly in the wood carving of ducks, decoys, and other subjects.  He seized the opportunity to study under great woodworkers while stationed in New Orleans and produced many beautiful and lifelike decoys.  As a young man in Boston, he developed a life-long love of Jazz that would become the background music of a long and well-lived life.   He had the heart of a sailor, unique and tenacious, and he will be dearly missed.  Fair winds and following seas, until we meet again.

In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to the Historic Ships of Baltimore https://24684.blackbaudhosting.com/24684/Individual-Memorial-Donation, or to the Massachusetts Maritime Academy www.maritime.edu/give.  A memorial service will be planned for a later date.

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