John Patrick (Pat) Dennis passed away on January 22, 2018, at Beaufort Memorial Hospital with his family by his side. Born in Charleston, South Carolina, on April 2, 1938, he was the son of the late Grace and John Dennis. Pat is graduate of Beaufort High School and attended The Citadel in Charleston, South Carolina.
Pat founded D and S Heating and Cooling , and at the time of his death served as the company president. He retired from Civil Service at Beaufort Naval Hospital. Formerly, Pat was the owner of Jones Appliance Company and earlier had worked for the South Carolina Employment Securities Commission. He also was an officer in the South Carolina National Guard.
He was a life-long Catholic and a faithful member of St. Peter's Catholic Church for over seventy years. As a young man, he was named the National Catholic Youth of the Year. Pat was active in the Knights of Columbus, the Beaufort Citadel Club, and the Jaycees; at one time, he served on the Beaufort County Council. He was also a member of the Hibernian Society of Charleston, South Carolina.
Pat took great pleasure in his friends and family. The most important aspect of his life was his family and spending time with his children and grandchildren. He continued to be involved and interested in their activities; and for years, he was active in the Beaufort High School Booster Club and continued to be a supporter even after his last grandchild graduated. When his children were young, he coached church league teams and was involved in the City of Beaufort Recreation programs.
He is survived by his wife of 57 years ,Grace Foster Dennis, and their three children: John Patrick (Jay) Dennis, Scott Foster Dennis (Lyn), and Grace Elizabeth(Beth) Dennis all of Beaufort. In addition, Mr. Dennis is survived by his brother, Carroll W. Dennis of Holly Springs, North Carolina; and his sister, Laura Dennis Brown of Blackville, South Carolina. He was predeceased by his sister, Elizabeth Dennis Rose (Steve) of Woodbridge , Virginia. His life was enriched beyond measure by his five grandchildren: Catherine Young Dennis of Chicago, Illinois; Caroline Dennis Angell (Chad) of Denver, Colorado; John Patrick Dennis, III of Murfreesboro, Tennessee; Katelyn Grace Dennis and Robert Scott Dennis of Columbia, South Carolina. There is an extended family of cousins, nieces, and nephews all of whom brought him great joy.
A visitation will be from 5 until 7 o'clock Wednesday, January 24, 2018, at Copeland Funeral Service - One Copeland Drive with a prayer service being held at 6:30 in the chapel.
The service will be held at 11 o'clock Thursday morning at St. Peter's Catholic Church. The family will receive friends immediately following the service in the Walsh Palmetto Room. Burial will be private in the cemetery at St. Peter's Historic Church.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to St. Peter's Catholic Church - 70 Lady's Island Drive, Beaufort, South Carolina 29907 or Friends of Caroline Hospice - 1110 13th Street, Port Royal, South Carolina 29935.