ST. GEORGE – Robert E. Dennison, 77, a longtime resident and active community volunteer, passed away Friday, Oct. 1, 2010, at a Bangor hospital after a brief illness. Robert was born Jan. 11, 1933, in St. George, son of Wilbur A. and Stella Searles Dennison. He was a graduate of St. George High School, Class of 1951. After graduating, he enlisted in the U.S. Coast Guard, serving from 1951 to 1954, and was trained in electronics. Upon his honorable discharge, Robert began working for New England Telephone and Telegraph Co., where he stayed for five years and met his first wife, Joan B. Dennison. He went to work with IBM for 27 years, primarily in the Poughkeepsie, N.Y., area, retiring in 1987 as a software engineer. A longtime community leader, he served the town of St. George as selectman for 15 years, including time as first selectmen, was a member of Eureka Lodge No. 84 AF & AM, IOOF Lodge No. 132, St. George American Legion Post No. 34 and St. George Grange No. 421. He also enjoyed playing in a band on his violin, banjo and other instruments, playing in local nursing homes among many venues. He was predeceased by his first wife, Joan B. Dennison, in 1992; and his second wife, Mary Dennison, in 2006. Survivors include his son, Bruce A. Dennison and his wife, Cathy, of Troy, Va.; daughter, Julie I. Hawkinson of Briarcliff, N.Y.; two granddaughters, Amber L. Hawkinson and Rebecca Hawkinson, both of Briarcliff, N.Y.; his companion, Linda Monaghan of St. George; a sister, Judy L. Leonard of Maine; and nephew, Charles L. “Louie” Smith of St. George. Visiting hours will be held 2-4 and 6-8 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 6, at Hall & Bibber Funeral Home, 78 Main St., Thomaston. A celebration of his life will be held 1 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 7, at Tenants Harbor Baptist Church with the Rev. Bill Hickey officiating. Interment will be at Oceanview Cemetery, South Thomaston, with military honors rendered by St. George American Legion Post No. 34. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to St. George Fire Department, P.O. Box 249, Tenants Harbor, ME 04860. Condolences to the family may be made to Robert’s memory page at www.hallfuneralhomes.com.
ROBERT E. DENNISON
