Dennis Ray Gibson, devoted husband of Patricia Burke Gibson, peacefully passed away at Norwalk Hospital on Tuesday, Sept. 14, while surrounded by his loving family.

Denny loved people. He was a friendly man who always made time to connect with others, whether he was talking to you at a dinner party, a Staples football game, or on the sidewalk downtown. 

He was a proud Westporter and loved the friends he made in the town he called home since 1999.

Denny was born in Cadillac, Mich., on Nov. 17, 1943, to Charles Gibson and Jeraline Rowas, where he grew up with brother Lynn and sister Nancy. He liked to remind us that he spent the first few years of his life in a house with no toilet — only an outhouse. 

At 21 years old, in a Grand Rapids home with more modernized plumbing, Denny had his first son, David. His son Kevin and daughter Leigh Ann followed shortly after. He committed himself to fatherhood as he moved with his family from Indianapolis to Jacksonville to Bethel to Syracuse to Youngstown and then Manhattan.

Denny met the love of his life, Patty Burke, when they were both working at General Foods. He won her over with the twinkle in his eye and his sparkling personality. They married on April 17, 1982.

Denny was a salesman through and through. After 23 years at General Foods, he struck off on his own, building a business from the ground up alongside his son David. The same traits that made him a great father and husband made him a fantastic entrepreneur. 

Decades into running his successful company, if you asked him what he did, he’d still say, “I’m a salesman.”

Twenty-nine years after having his first child, Denny had his next set of kids — triplets Jack, Max and Bo. They will cherish his whippy one-liners and will treasure memories of stretching him before his weekly tennis games.

He became Grandpa Denny to eight grandkids — Bill, Jenna, Dan, Grace, Ellen, Claire, Daniel and Delaney — who he loved dearly.

His wife, children, grandchildren and friends loved him and will miss his smile, jokes and easy conversation.

In addition to his beloved wife Patty, he is survived by brother Lynn (Mary Lou) Gibson, Grand Rapids, Mich.; sister Nancy (Tony) Roberto, Cincinnati, Ohio; son David (Sheri) Gibson, Coronado, Calif.; son Kevin (Kris) Gibson, Canfield, Ohio; daughter Leigh Ann Dwyer (Bob), Fairfield; son Jack Gibson, Westport; son Bo Gibson, Brooklyn, N.Y.; son Max Gibson, New York, N.Y.

Calling hours will be held on Friday from 4 to 8 p.m. in the Lesko & Polke Funeral Home, 1209 Post Road, in Fairfield Center. His Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Saturday at 10 a.m. in the Church of the Assumption, 98 Riverside Ave., in Westport. His interment will be private.

Denny’s family would prefer contributions in his name to: Tunnel to Towers (www.T2T.org).

For travel directions or to sign his online guest register, please visit www.LeskoPolkeFuneralHome.com