Obituary of Timothy J. Denning

"Brimfield- Timothy J. Denning, 83, of Riverview Circle passed away August 19, 2006 at home with his family by his side. Timothy has been a lifelong resident of Palmer and Brimfield. Born August 22, 1922 in Palmer, he was the son of the late Jeremiah and Catherine (Hurley) Denning. During World War II he served in the U.S. Navy as a member of Naval Radio Intelligence and was stationed in the Aleutians. After being discharged from military service he began an 11 year career at the Post Office in Palmer. While working at the Post Office he attended night classes at Western New England College. Graduating from WNEC with a degree in Business Administration in 1963, Tim retired as the Director of Fiscal and Personnel Operations from the Springfield Action Commission in 1993 after 12 years. He was the Director of Administrative and Fiscal Management at the Springfield Redevelopment Authority for 14 years, during the administrations of Mayors Ryan, Freedman, Sullivan, and Dimauro. Before moving to the SRA he was the Treasurer and Business Manager for the Tantasqua Regional School District and Union #61 in Sturbridge, Personnel Director at The Mercy Hospital, in Springfield and Personnel Manager at Zero Manufacturing in Monson. He was a Past Commander of the Merrill L. Simonds Post #130 American Legion in Palmer. He was also active in the community in various organizations, most recently as a member of the Chicopee Elks Lodge #1849 and a 50 year member of Quaboag Country Club. Tim held many positions in the Town of Brimfield, including Town Moderator and Chairman of the Finance Committee. Timothy is survived by his longtime companion, Theresa Prosperi, with whom he lived along with his two sons, Mark Denning and his wife Shirley, and Stephen Denning and his wife Wendi all of Brimfield. He also leaves five grandchildren, Melissa, who predeceased him in 1989, Amanda, Rachel, Timothy, and Rebecca Denning along with three sisters Margaret Backus and her husband George, Maureen Minns and her husband Albert all of Palmer, and Katherine Denning of Wilbraham. Besides his parents and granddaughter, he was predeceased by a brother, Richard. A mass of Christian burial will be held Friday at 10:00 a.m. at St. Thomas Church. Friends and family are asked to meet directly at the church. Burial will follow in the parish cemetery. Visitation will be held Thursday from 4:00-7:00 p.m at the Beers & Story Palmer Funeral Home. Donations may be made in his memory to Baystate VNA & Hospice, 50 Maple St., Springfield, MA. "