Never forget Dennis...
Never forget Dennis...
R.I.P. Dennis, you will be missed by many
Last edited by Harleymon; 08-06-2013 at 09:26 PM.
As Cindy and I were being briefed on the "must do and will do" list for our first ever trip to Negril back in '09, our good friends Chet & Coleen kept talking about this Dennis character, his property and a bunch of goats. I thought,okay.... I had no concept of Negril, let alone this guy named Dennis.
Our first impression of Jamaica was in the darkness of night. By the time we arrived in Negril, hunger and sleep was satisfied by pasta and a room at the Mariposa. The next morning we loaded into the vehicle and headed to the CLIFFS, at WHOOPIES, and WOW! Were we blown away! The fresh ocean breeze, the turquoise blue water crashing against the rocks of the cliffs, and of course, the gentle, quiet welcome of Dennis. With an Appletons and fresh squeezed orange juice in my glass ala Dennis, I listen intently to the conservation between Chet and Dennis as they talk of days gone by and the changes they have both seen in Negril over the years. It was an education, a insight into the life of the man and a sort of therapy all in one. I pan all around me and think to myself...this is not Iowa. I can't believe what I am seeing. I think that this is heaven in its own strange way. We visited Dennis 3 times that first reach and wouldn't be a complete trip to Negril without a visit to Whoopies. In February of 2010, I gathered all of my courage and got down on one knee to propose to the love of my life with an audience of a few friends looking on, including Dennis. Our host must have been a romantic at heart as he had thrown on a Lionel Richie/Commodores CD as tears of joy flowed down our cheeks. Thank you to Dennis for all of the great memories, the face of Negril will never look the same. We will miss him and will never have a "complete trip to Negril" again. Jah bless you Dennis!
"While we are mourning the loss of our friend, others are rejoicing to meet him behind the veil." - John Taylor
I am so sad to hear this tragic news. RIP Dennis, prayers to his family and friends.
Cassidygirl - just when I thought my last hard intake of breath with tear leaking from corner of eye had taken place I see your picture,,,,, oh Dennis and baby so priceless
I have won many awards in a lifetime of competition and service. But the highest was offered without plaque or fanfare on a hilltop in post Ivan Jamaica. A true Rasta and a dear friend observed "Chet you are like a father of men, you see need and fulfill that need without being asked". Let us be travelers and not tourist.
I never had the pleasure of meeting Dennis,
but I can tell what's in a man's heart by the way he smiles at a child.
Peace to you Dennis, and family, and friends...
Every year the kids had to visit Dennis and the goats. Each trip was not complete until JJ , in the pix above, played a game of Dominos with Dennis. Even if Dennis was having a grumpy night, he always made time for a quick game. One time JJ beat Dennis (I"m sure he let him win) JJ told everyone he beat the Dominos champion of Jamaica! He was super proud. The kids are really going to miss him
It has been a long week with Dennis invading my thoughts often, everyone that has posted pictures has made me happy with mined memories during this sad time, for anyone that checks back in I ask your permission to borrow your photos and redo my Dennis wmv, Cassidy yours is priceless, Phil & Cindy I am not sure if I had ever seen that one of you and me and Dennis, Onelove I have a feeling I was there a week behind you one time and Dennis said "oh chet friends were here and we partied every night", every picture is tender
I believe that Dennis didn't need the commerce of being open but overall he enjoyed the social discourse with many,,, I have a feeling that there are those here that have been sharing time with Dennis as I many times when another potential guest arrives to his explanation "we are not open", their incredulous look at drinks on bar made me feel that I belonged to an exclusive relationship with a man I wasn't a customer
I have won many awards in a lifetime of competition and service. But the highest was offered without plaque or fanfare on a hilltop in post Ivan Jamaica. A true Rasta and a dear friend observed "Chet you are like a father of men, you see need and fulfill that need without being asked". Let us be travelers and not tourist.
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