The Rev. Fredrick Dennis

The Rev. Fredrick Hogarth Dennis died peacefully on Friday, October 6th at AMC. At his bedside during his final hours were his beloved wife Connie, several of his children, step-children, and several good friends. He is survived by Connie, to whom he was happily married for 46 years, his son, Robert (Suzy) of Bemidji, MN, daughter Jessica, of Duluth, MN, his step-children, Tanner (Louis) of Nyack, NY, Christopher (Karin) of San Antonio, TX and Philip (Michael), of San Diego, CA and his grandchildren, Tommy, Louis, Charlotte, Kieran and Graham.

Fr. Rick, as he was called, was the pastor of the Church of St. Luke Church the Beloved Physician, in Saranac Lake, for 20 years until his retirement in 2005.

Fr. Rick was a native of West Virginia, where he was raised by his parents, Lynwood and Ellen Rollin Dennis. His mother died and his father married Mary Artis Danner of Staunton, VA, whom he both loved and adored. As a youngster he was active in organized sports, playing both baseball and basketball. He attended Virginia Episcopal School, the University of Virginia and the Virginia Theological Seminary. He was ordained a priest in the Episcopal Church in 1965, serving parishes in both West Virginia and North Carolina, before moving to Saranac Lake with Connie, in 1985.

His hobbies included reading (mostly histories of WWII, cosmology and detective fiction).

He valued good friends, he created many radio spots which always ended with “Brought to you with love from St. Luke's.” He enjoyed hosting the Rotary Variety Show for a number of years, taking cookies to the good people who worked at the Transfer Station in Lake Placid (“They don't get thanked nearly enough!”), getting to know the people at Fit For Life exercise class, and warm weather out on his pontoon boat, “The Holy Roller,” making memories with family and friends. He valued friendship, Big Band music, and folk singers Ian and Sylvia. He was known as an excellent preacher, who told wonderful stories, and had a keen sense of humor (not to mention an occasional sharp tongue).

He remained especially grateful to all of his doctors who kept him going over the years and most especially in his last years to Rosanne Brogan, of the Saranac Lake Voluntary Health whose weekly visits brought him joy and kept him alive!

He often remarked: “Whether you're religious or not, just to have been here, just to have been a part of it all, has been such a great privilege. It's been a heckuva ride!”

Funeral arrangements are in care of the Fortune-Keough Funeral Home in Saranac Lake. Funeral services will be held at St. Luke's, on Saturday, October 14th at 11:00 AM with The Rev. Andrew Cruz-Lillegard officiating.

The family asks that in lieu of flowers donations be made in Fr. Rick's name to Saranac Lake Voluntary Health Association, Tri-Lakes Humane Society or St. Lukes Church.