Condolences for
Dennis E. Deloria

My brother was such a great person and friend. He loved and was so loved by many. He will be deeply missed by our family. We celebrated a beautiful Funeral mass yesterday in his honor. For our family and friends that could not be with us at the mass, I wish to share my words of remembrance about Dennis:

Dennis was my parent’s first child. He held such a special place in our family being the oldest. As a parent myself, I know that when God blessed my parent’s with their son Dennis, he gave them such pride, love and joy. They celebrated many first time experiences with Dennis, watching his first steps, first words, going to school and more. And while, their family expanded to include myself and our younger brother Greg, just as they experienced Dennis through the years, we too watched and learned by his examples. I cherish the childhood we experienced together, even with him chasing me all the time with an egg (for those of you that do not know I am allergic to eggs). Funny, he never once broke an egg. But even more now, I cherished the friendship we formed as adults.

He was such a great person and fully committed to whatever he had going on in his life and in his career. I never worked professionally with my brother so I can’t speak for his work ethic but if it’s anything like when we were growing up I am sure he was fully prepared for whatever projects came his way. I remember growing up and recalling special events such as his receiving his First Communion, where he told me to stop bugging him so he could read the bible. And when he was about to receive his Confirmation, he had me quiz him on those dreaded questions. His preparation was probably the most studying I ever did for my own Confirmation. Even when he was getting married, he would ask for advice on how to make sure he had a successful relationship. Conni recently told me that while they first started dating he would give her one flower on each of their dates. He was always the hopeful romantic and always wanted things to be just right.

I even remember when Ryan asked him to be his Confirmation sponsor, he asked me for any literature to help him prepare. At that time, I told him to take a chill pill and stop being so intense. When he told me he was going to be a dad, I remember he did so much research because he wanted to understand what was happening. And he would ask me how many bottles he should make, and or what diaper brand to buy etc. He was a bit excessive but he wanted to be the best dad possible.

We didn't speak daily but we had a deep understanding that we were always there for each other. Dennis would often randomly show up at my house whether scheduled or unscheduled. When we would be celebrating the holidays and or a birthday he would “show up” and he was ready to get the party started only to find out the party was either wrapping up or already over (he was always late and even the last one to show up at family functions). But on those separate unannounced occasions, I would always know he needed to talk. These talks were not conversations on world topics or special events or people but very profound talks about our lives. Almost every time he asked me really hard questions like “How do you find true love? (This was before he started dating Conni), or (after they started dating) “How do I know she’s the one.” We've had some scary conversations about “Why is this happening?” and one of our last deep conversations I had with him was about “What do you think our purpose in life is?” We sometimes answered the questions but in those conversations he would always reiterate how much Conni and Tommy meant to him and how much he loved his family. We would always end our conversation almost the same way each time. We would always agree that we are grateful for the people in our lives and the many blessing God has given us. Focus on the moment, the now and be forgiving. Its God’s plan not ours to figure out.

While a quiet and reserved man about his faith, I knew from our conversations how deep his faith was and his belief that God would make things right. He was a true optimist.

The best way that I can help you fully understand the person Dennis was is to tell you about one of my son’s tennis tournaments that my son, Joey and Conni’s niece Alex were both playing in that Dennis “showed up” to support them and watch them play. When he first arrived and was walking towards me, I realized that he was wearing all his tennis gear, down to the shoes, tennis outfit, and hat and carrying the tennis bag with all his tennis stuff. When he got closer to me, I asked him, “Did you register to play in the men’s tournament?” He replied, “No”. So I asked , why are you all dressed up? He simply stated very excited and animated “You've got to feel the excitement and energy Suzette so I showed up.” He was so so so corny. But that same simple effort of “showing up” is exactly how he lived and embraced every aspect of his life. He was forever setting the example of being someone who was truly devoted to his wife, son and those who he touched throughout his life.

I know that even though we feel he was taken away from us too soon, it was his time. Despite his sudden departure from this earthly life, I know and believe that at the moment of his death and God said lets go he, “fully showed up” for God.

Just like Dennis, back in 2012, we suddenly lost our cousin Rex too soon. I remember how hard this was on my brother. He idolized Rex as a child and really tried to emulate the examples he set as an adult and father. Dennis was unable to attend his funeral, but shared words of comfort to the family then that I wish to share with all of you now in his own words:

“We can be utterly unprepared for the flood of tears and grief felt at the death of a loved one.

The grief is deep, raw and shattering to our admittedly irrational expectations that we will never be separated from those we love.

Give thanks for the pain you feel, because the pain is a measure of your love.”

Dennis used to say “Double D’s in the houzze!” Well we love you Double D and you are definitely in God’s house.

God Bless you all.

May the love and support of all who care for Dennis and his family ease your sorrow in some small way...

My condolences to the Deloria family and friends.

My prayers are with Dennis' Family and Friends. Sorrowfully submitted, co-worker Sharon Brown