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Dennison, Robert J. July 18, 1946 - July 26, 2021

Robert J Dennison, 75 from Westchester, New York passed away peacefully after a long battle with Leukemia on July 26th, 2021 surrounded by loved ones. Bob had two loving marriages; Mary Ann Dennison, his first wife who passed in 2010 and was the mother of his three children. He is survived by his loving wife Maria Dennison, his children Ann, Elizabeth, and Robert, sons-in-law Jim and Brian, siblings Maryann, Joseph, and Chris, and his grandchildren Alessandra, Grace, Mikaela, Lucas, William, and Tessa. Bob was also beloved by all of his nieces and nephews, his grandnieces and nephews, his wife Maria’s children, and many close friends and special people whose lives he brightened.

 

Bob’s most outstanding qualities were his kindness, compassion, and sense of humor. His career was in parole and when he retired he was the Commissioner of Parole for NY State. Bob and Maria spent the last 10 years of his life enjoying vacations, dinners with family and friends, time at baseball games, dance recitals, and art shows with his grandchildren. He was an inspiring man that found the time to touch many people’s lives – fighting for the rights of and freedom for wrongfully convicted prisoners and helping to change laws and lives for the better.

 

He was also a seeker of any and all possible information. He gathered this info mostly from his children with either daily phone calls or random pop-ins asking important questions like “are you working today? (asked daily)”, “are you taking any trips soon?”, “do you have plans for dinner?”, “where are you now?”, “are you traveling this week?”, “is it hot where you are?”.  He was also an excellent sharer of all of this critical knowledge (he couldn’t keep a secret).

 

Everyone that met him liked him; everyone that knew him loved him.

In Lieu of Flowers contributions may be made to Memorial Sloan Kettering Leukemia Research

Calling Hours: 4 to 8 pm, Wednesday, July 28, 2021

Funeral Service: 11 am, Thursday, July 29, 2021 at the St. Francis Chapel at Gate of Heaven Cemetery, Hawthorne, NY

In Lieu of Flowers: Contributions may be made to Memorial Sloan Kettering Leukemia Research

Condolences(37)

  1. REPLY
    Oonagh says

    Such a gentleman I’m so sorry for your loss Ann and family May he Rest In Peace

    • REPLY
      William Eric Waters says

      My deepest condolences to the Dennison family! I worked closely with Bob after he retired from the Division of Parole. In retirement, he did great work with many people impacted by the criminal legal system. Many of those, including myself, held Bob in high esteem. For a two-year period, Diana Ortiz and I traveled with Bob across the state going to meetings, talking with politicians and others, about issues of justice. May he Rest In Peace and power!

  2. REPLY
    Las Caimaneras says

    Querido Bob
    La bondad del ser que conocimos se queda grabada en nuestra alma, por el inmenso amor que en tu mirada conocimos; en las tardes y las madrugadas de tus pasos amorosos compañeros de nuestra María.
    Vas al encuentro de lo eterno, dejando en este mundo tu recuerdo.
    La luz y la paz que esparciste, se impregnaron en todos quienes pudimos ver lo hermoso de tu paso por la vida.
    Nos quedamos con todo aquello qué nos diste a través de nuestra amiga, quien queda llena de ti, de tus soles y tus lunas.
    Descansa en Paz Bob para siempre.
    Con todo nuestro amor .
    Las Caimaneras

    Dear Bob,
    The memory of the great person you were has been etched in our souls. We remember the kindness in your eyes; the moments full of love you shared with our dearest Maria. The light and peace that you spread, will forever be found in the hearts of those who were fortunate enough to share a moment in this life, with you. We will remember you always through the life you shared with our dear friend.
    Rest in peace, Bob, forever. With all of our love, the Caimaneras.

  3. REPLY
    Tom Grant says

    A wonderful friend and colleague with a fantastic sense of humor. Time spent with Bob was always well spent.

  4. REPLY
    Juan Esteban Vélez Gil says

    Mís condolencias para toda su familia y en especial para mi mamá Maria Dennison, sé el dolor por tú pérdida y todo lo que le entregaste en vida. Hoy el cielo está de fiesta porque recibe una persona muy especial cómo uno de sus ángeles.

    • REPLY
      Angela Saldarriaga says

      What a beautiful words, Juan Esteban

  5. REPLY
    Marcela Cardona says

    Querido Bob, haber tenido el privilegio de conocerte fue un regalo incomparable. Fuiste un mensajero de Luz y Amor. Quedarás por siempre en quienes pudimos compartir un pedacito de la vida contigo.
    Tu Alma vive para siempre en la eternidad que te recibe.
    Descansa en Paz.

  6. REPLY
    Paola osullivan says

    Bob will never be forgotten. We will treasure our memories of him and he will always live within our hearts. I’m so glad to have had the privilege to meet such an amazing, caring and interesting man. Rest In Peace. My sincere condolences to his family

  7. REPLY
    Annette WILLIAMS says

    MA

  8. REPLY
    TINA STANFORD says

    The New York State Board of Parole is thankful for Bob’s service to the People of the State when he served as Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Office of the former Division of Parole. May God grant his soul rest and comfort to all who loved him.

  9. REPLY
    Mónica Acosta Isaza says

    Mis condolencias para toda su familia, en especial para María Eugenia, Dios te dará la fortaleza que necesitas en éste momento y solo quedan los buenos recuerdos y el amor que durante mucho tiempo se profesaron.
    Saludos y bendiciones !!!!!

    • REPLY
      Mónica Gil ,Edison Arenas says

      Fue muy lindo conocerte ,fue maravilloso tener la oportunidad de compartir bellos momentos en familia,dejaste un vacío en nuestros corazones ,pero la gran fortuna de quedar impregnados de un ser tan humano y bondadoso ,brindamos una oración para que mi hermana María Dennison ,hijos y familiares tengan un regocijo divino de Dios y la fortaleza de afrontar este duro momento

  10. REPLY
    Christina Hernandez says

    My condolences to the Dennison family. Wishing you peace, love and light. Thank you Bob for being such a power of example in your work and life. I learned from you during our brief time working together on the BOP and your advocacy when you retired. You were a beacon of light and hope for many people. You soar with angels.

  11. REPLY
    Tomas Gonez says

    A kind and gentle man and colleague at work. Always treated me with the utmost respect. He will be deeply missed. Sending peace, comfort, and blessings to his family.

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      Joan Adams says

      My sincere condolences to the Dennison family. I worked Bob when it was Division of Parole in the Violation Unit, he was one of the kindest and respectable Supervisor’s that I worked with, always pleasant. RIP Bob

  12. REPLY
    Luke and Christine Adams says

    Our sincerest condolences to the Dennison family for your loss.
    We only hope that you can find some peace and comfort during this difficult time, knowing so many people are thinking of you and wishing to support you.

  13. REPLY
    Yousry & Heba Egladyous says

    Our deepest condolences to Ann and the family for your loss. May the Lord repose his soul in the Paradise of Joy and offer comfort to his family and friends.

  14. REPLY
    Evelyn Rosa says

    God Speed to your eternal rest. I was privileged to have worked with “Dennison” in the Bronx Parle Office and then again in the Manhattan. He was a great co-worker. But I also considered him a friend. Someone who could be counted on no matter whether it was work or not. My condolences to his family during this time. My prayers are with you.

  15. REPLY
    B. Maria Samples says

    Condolences to his family. He was such a gently soul. He will be truly missed.

  16. REPLY
    fernando correa says

    my dondolences to the dennison family in their time of lost. my god keep you all safe and in his glory. i knew robert and some times i would work with him, he did have a good sense of humer. our main sticking point of discussion, was when im i going to get married. so for every bad point i gave him, he would give a good point, this was back in i think 2005. so just so happens,robert must have gotten in my head., cause last week i was talking to one of the support staff in commisioners, office. if you see or hear from bob that what we would call him, tell him that fernando correa. finally for married on june 23 2018. and now we got this email about his passing. my he rest in eternal peace. one love. from my family to yours

  17. REPLY
    carol lettman says

    My sincere condolence to the Dennison Family. May the Lord give you the strength to go on.

  18. REPLY
    Pastor Todd Young says

    Robert Dennison changed my life forever when he was instrumental in my release on parole nearly ten years ago. I would not be where I am today without him. My deepest condolences to his loved ones and my prayers are with them.

    Pastor Todd Young

  19. REPLY
    Patrick and Mary Hennigan says

    We are very sad to hear about Bob’s passing. Our sincere condolences to his loving family! We remember him fondly! We were fortunate to enjoy many fun gatherings together where our lives were enriched with interesting conversation and much good humor and laughter. We will treasure those memories always!
    Rest In Peace Bob and much love to all your family from Pat and Mary Hennigan and family

  20. REPLY
    Jae Park says

    He was such a kind, loving and generous man. He touched so many lives, and it was such a privilege to be part of his care. The statement “Everyone that met him liked him; everyone that knew him loved him” captures everything about him. My condolences to his family. He was a special man.

  21. REPLY
    Richard Pasternack says

    He was the best boss ever and one of the finest human beings that I have ever known .

  22. REPLY
    Belen says

    La vida es un camino lleno de aprendizaje y eventos inesperados , en este viaje llamado vida, cumplimos muchos de nuestros sueños, pero para poder llegar a ellos Dios y el destinó, nos van colocando personas claves para llegar a la meta, algunas personas son pasajeras y otras te acompañan hasta la meta, haciéndote sentir seguro cuando crees que no vas a lograrlo, de una manera calmada y en paz, hablan contigo y te ayudan a volver al camino, estas personas se ganan tu cariño y tu respeto y sabes que es mutuo, llegan para quedarse y recordarte que la vida es maravillosa a pesar de que el camino que planeamos tuvo más contratiempos de los planeados, cuando te encuentras sola y los lazos de sangre están muy lejos, en el trayecto del viaje haces lazos de lealtad, amor y respeto, formas una familia y ya no estás solo, Dios puso a Bob en mi camino y siempre estaré agradecida con el, por todo y cada una de sus palabras de aliento, sus consejos y su apoyo, un hombre noble, amoroso e inteligente, simplemente un Ángel, Gracias Bob, nos volveremos a ver y te contaré las aventuras vividas.
    Maru…estaban destinados a encontrarse y vivir esta maravillosa historia de amor, gracias por todo tu apoyo TQM
    Le envío mi más sentido pésame a toda su familia, a sus hijos, a sus nietos, a su esposa, con el corazón en la mano y en oración estoy con ustedes. Descansa en Paz Bob

    Life is a journey full of lessons and unexpected moments. In this journey called life we fulfill many dreams. In order to do that we are helped by god and our destiny. He places people in our life for a reason. Some stay for good and some leave. He will make sure that you feel at comfort and find your way back. He will help you find your path. These people gain your trust and love and you know it’s mutual. These people come to stay. Remember that life is beautiful and even though there are things that get in the way. When you find yourself alone and your loved ones are far remember that they will always be in your heart. God put bob in my path and I will always be thankful for that and for every word he ever said to me. His words of wisdom and advice will always remain in my heat. He was a kind and loving man and truly an angel. Thank you Bob. We will meet again and I will tell you about my adventures.

    Maru… you guys were destined to meet each other and live that beautiful love story. Thank you for all of your love. I love you very much. I’m so sorry for your loss. Sending all my love to your kids and grandkids and to all the family. With my heart in my hand I wish you all well. I’m there for you all. Rest In Peace Bob

  23. REPLY
    Claudette Robinson says

    You are with the angels in heaven. We worked at Division of Parole together. You were such a gentleman. Rest In Peace my friend.

  24. REPLY
    Hevertton Oliveira says

    My condolences to the whole family for the loss. God receive him and be with everyone

  25. REPLY
    Laurie Fisher says

    Chairman Dennison presented me with my Parole badge when I graduated the Academy and became a kind, respected and loved colleague. He will be much missed. Condolences to his family. I am so very sorry for your loss.

  26. REPLY
    Sharon Burnett says

    My condolences to the Dennison Family. I worked with Bob at then The Division of Parole for many years. Bob was a caring, helpful and sincere person. Those qualities transcend to his colleagues as well as Parole’s clientele. Bob’s gentleness will be missed.

  27. REPLY
    steven claudio says

    Bob was a wonderful person and friend who always made the time to speak with coworkers, friends, clients and always made everyone feel special. He is going to be missed by everyone he touched!

  28. REPLY
    Mervin Otero says

    Amazing man who will always live in my heart.

  29. REPLY
    George Gabriel says

    Bob brought intergrity and honor to every position he held, whether it was as a Parole prosecutor, or, in later years, as an advocate for justice. Fortunately, I had experiences with him across that spectrum and he was true to the end. Deepest condolences to the family. He was a real champion.

  30. REPLY
    Sharon Stanley says

    My condolences to the Dennison family. I have worked with Commissioner Dennison on many Parole Boards. He was such a kind a respectful person. Sleep in peace Bob. Heaven has gain an angel.

  31. REPLY
    Carolyn Warmus says

    Bob was such a kind and generous man. His letter of recommendation to the Parole Board meant the world to me (especially since I always maintained my innocence), as did my frequent phone calls to him for the past five years or more. After my release, we spoke numerous times, most recently just a couple weeks ago. He always gave great advice and also had such a positive outlook. He was a great person – so caring, full of humanity, and always striving for justice. He will be missed by so many.

  32. REPLY
    Barbara Treen says

    My deepest condolences to Bob’s family. He was my friend and my colleague but most important, the symbol of justice in our quest for dignity and fairness. He will live on in the lives of so many people whose lives he’s changed. With love….

  33. REPLY
    Debra L Groh says

    Bob was a wonderful man. I was blessed to know him. My condolences to his children, grandchildren and hid entire family.

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