Obituary of Carl W. Dennis, Sr.

ILION – Mr. Carl W. Dennis, Sr., age 81, a lifelong Ilion resident, passed away on Friday morning, May 4, 2018, at the Mohawk Valley Health Care Center.

Born on April 14, 1937, in Hornell, NY, Carl was the son of the late William C. and Leona Mae (Newman) Dennis. He was raised and educated in Ilion, before enlisting with the United States Army in 1954. He honorably served his nation in Germany throughout the Korean era, before receiving his honorable discharge in 1957.

On March 15, 1958, Carl was wed to the former Sally Siver, and from their relationship came the blessings of five children. Their friendship continued throughout their lives, and Sally was by his side until the very end.

On June 24, 1978, Carl was blessed with a second marriage, when he was wed to Gwen Dallas in Ilion. Together, they shared in over thirty-three years of love and companionship until Gwen’s passing on May 4, 2012.

Carl was a hardworking man who spent over twenty years with Vincent Manufacturing as a machine operator. He also held positions with Palermo Metals and the Allegro Shoe Company for many years.

He was a community-oriented individual and was heavily involved with various locations throughout the Mohawk Valley. He was a life member of the Ilion/Frankfort VFW Post 502, serving as Commander for six of those years. He also served with All-State as a four-year Council Commander and a two-year Quartermaster. He was a member of the VFW Post 502 Disabled American Veterans for twenty years, the DADS 244 for twenty-five years, serving as President and Deputy President. He was a twenty-year member of the American Legion Post 920 in Ilion, was a past Commander of the Amvets Post 777, and a past member of the CB Club.

Carl is survived by his former wife and close friend, Sally; his children and their spouses, Carl W. Dennis, Jr. and wife, Virginia of Ilion, Alva A. Dennis and wife, Nancy of Mohawk, Theresa P. Corsette and husband, Lawrence of Mohawk, Kathleen A. Boepple and husband, Stacey of Mohawk, and Michael L. Dennis and wife, Dawn of Richfield Springs; his half-brothers and half-sisters, Coreen Ketchum and husband, Marlo of Maryland, Harold Dennis and Marina of Little Falls, Brenda Looman and husband, Bob of Dolgeville, Kenneth Dennis of Florida, Brian Dennis and wife, Kelly of Herkimer, Diane Neale of Herkimer and Christine Blum and husband, Keith of Herkimer; his stepsister, Carol Showerman of Fort Plain; his brother-in-law, Richard Dallas of Dolgeville; as well as several grandchildren, great-grandchildren, nieces, nephews and cousins.

Besides his parents and wife, Gwen, Carl was predeceased by his brothers, Richard in 1995, Billy, Jr. in 2004, Robert in 2010 and William in 2014; his granddaughter, Becky in 2004; and his stepson, William “Spike” Neale in 2014.

Friends and relatives are invited to attend Carl’s visitation on Monday evening, May 7, 2018 from 6:00PM – 8:00PM at the Applegate-Day & Enea Family’s larger facility, located at 4309 Acme Road, Town of Frankfort, Ilion, NY (315) 894-8000. Members of the Ilion/Frankfort VFW are asked to gather at the funeral home at 7:45PM for their ritualistic service. Carl’s funeral service and Celebration of Life will commence on Tuesday morning, May 8, 2018, at 10:00AM at the funeral home, with Rev. Brian Engle, officiating. Procession will follow to Mohawk Cemetery, where Carl will be laid to rest with military honors.

For those wishing to do so, please consider memorial contributions to the Ilion/Frankfort VFW Post 502, 4274 Acme Road, Frankfort, NY 13340. Envelopes will be available at the funeral home.

Carl’s funeral arrangements and final wishes were entrusted to Martin Ciaccia, Don Applegate and Harry and Kevin Enea, Funeral Directors. Online notes of sympathy may be left at www.applegateandday.com.