Dennis L. Hand
June 10, 1943 - May 10, 2026
Mr. Dennis L. Hand passed away at age 82 on May 10, 2026, in Newark, DE. He lived most of his life in Paterson and North Haledon, NJ; New York City (NYC), NY; Baltimore, MD; and Middletown, DE.
Dennis graduated from St. Francis Xavier High School and Fordham University in NYC, as well as St. Mary’s Seminary and University in Baltimore, MD.
Dennis worked for the NJ Department of Labor, Fordham University, the Diocese of Paterson, NJ, and retired as a manager with the Social Security Administration at its headquarters in Baltimore, MD.
Dennis was the son of Estelle L. and Thomas F. Hand, Jr. He was preceded in death by his parents and his brother, Joseph P. Hand of Montreal, Canada.
He is survived by his sister and brother-in-law, Estelle M., and William R. Monahan, of Newark, DE as well as his nephews, Liam P. Monahan of Golden, CO and Kieran B. Monahan of Pittsburgh, PA.
Dennis is best remembered by those who loved him for his various interests. He was an avid reader, a Titanic buff, a world traveler, and a lover of the opera and musicals. He was a devoted pet parent to his dogs Lily, Liesl, Gretl, and Marta. He played a significant role in his sister’s life and appreciated the help from his brother-in-law during the last several months of illness. He enjoyed spending time with his nephews and was proud of the good young men they have become.
The family would like to thank all those close to Dennis and hope you know how much you meant to him. He was truly blessed by your presence in his life.
Funeral services will be limited to family.
Memorial donations to a charity which feeds the hungry are encouraged.
Sofia Cuevas
I’m very sorry for your loss. My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family.
Charlene Shufelt
I cannot imagine my life without Dennis. He was my neighbor, dear friend, and source of comfort for more than 50 years. Throughout his illness he was gracious, caring, and positive. He loved to share his adventures when traveling to Europe and going on day trips to New York City to see a Broadway show. His family was paramount. Dennis was a force of nature and I was privileged to be his friend.
REBECCA PAONE
My deepest condolences and sympathies, Estelle. Sending lots of love and hugs from Florida.
Susan
Monahan’s,
Estelle, Billy, Liam, Kieran
Please accept condolences from the Brenneman/Dreyers. Im here visiting Matthew in Seattle and he and I spoke together of fond memories today of Uncle Dennis. Our thoughts are with your family in this moment.
Susan C Lyons
I’m so sorry for your loss. Denny was such a huge and constant presence in your life and your family’s. I will keep you all in my thoughts and prayers. Sue
Ilene Lipstein
Condolences on Dennis’s passing. He was a lovely person and always had a good word about living in Springmill. I enjoyed chatting with him about a variety of topics.
Jane Kimmins
Our life with Dennis began when we all became new retirees. Dennis was a family historian. His fondest memories were of his early childhood days, especially up to the age of 10. At every little get together we were told stories about his mom and dad and his grandparents. They all loved Denny. Of course, after his 9th birthday there was a brother, Joe and 9 years after that there was a sister. Estelle. He loved telling family stories.
Our get togethers always involved food and Dennis could be counted on for dessert. Any leftover dessert went home with Dennis to his freezer. This definitely cramped our style because we needed his freezer when ours broke down or when we bought too much ice cream on sale.
After we heard all the stories a few times, he moved into plays. He would watch the most current version of a play and compare it to the same play done 40 years before.
He also began European travel at this time. Sometimes he would travel with one of his nephews either Kieran or Liam and sometimes he did a solo. After each trip, we were invited to his home to see everything we missed by not going to Europe. Each showing would last over an hour. Dennis stayed up past my bedtime but I’m sure he knows how many molars I have since I yawned a lot during his presentation.
For exercise, Dennis played Pickleball—once. Too strenuous! He also had a bike his sister gave him. She obviously did not know him the way we did. It was in the garage to be ridden every day for maybe 2 weeks but after about 2 weeks it became a storage tool in the garage.
I’ll give you one final story about Dennis. Suzanne and I bought a rug and it had to be returned to Costco. Well, we couldn’t pick it up so I called Dennis for help. He said he had to go to the doctors to return the results of his Pacemaker test. No problem. We can stop at the doctors and then go on to Costco and return the rug. We lugged it back and then went home. Dennis had a message from his doctor. Get to the hospital ASAP. I offered to drive but he declined my offer. However, when I told Suzanne about it, she met his car going down the street with two muffins. When he got to the hospital and his sister, who always shows up when there is a Dennis crisis, he was told they could not put the pacemaker in until the next day. So, Dennis ate the muffins. I don’t know if he shared them with Estelle or not but he did call the theatre to ask if he could use the theatre ticket (for a show the next day) when he got out of the hospital. He did get to use it.
Dennis, looking back you had some bumps in the road but a great life. You will be missed. Enjoy the company of your mom, dad and brother and we’ll be there soon enough. Thanks for the laughs.
Sue Davis
Denis and I worked together in downtown Baltimore for SSA. He was always a man of integrity who focused on customer service. Always had a positive outlook and a great sense of humor.
Sue Davis
Frank & Susan Kirkwood
My wife Susan and I will miss seeing Dennis every morning with his dog, Marta, Dennis was a kind and good neighbor for the 7 years we’ve lived next to him. RIP.
George, Geri, Joanne Abel
We are so sorry to hear that Dennis has passed away. He was a very great guy and will be sadly missed by family and friends.
May we rest in peace. Our sincere condolences and prayers go out to his family. I would like to remember Dennis for coming to my husband George’s aid after he had fallen in the street and Dennis came to him, called 911 and came to me after he had been taken to the hospital. He was a true friend and asset to the community. May God rest his soul. Love from the Abel’s.
Molly Sanikop
May Dennis rest in peace and his memory be a blessing
Maureen Maxwell
My condolences to his family.
Dennis was a lovely person and a true gentleman. He loved to talk about his interests and especially his travels. He was a neighbor in Springmill for over 20 years.
He will be missed
Mark and Ronnie
We did not know Dennis except through Estelle, but it certainly sounds like his was a life well lived and he will be missed. Our condolences to you all.
Lauralee Dobbins
Sending you all a huge hug and sincere sympathy in Denny’s passing. I know how important he was in your lives and how much you will miss him. I hope that caring for him as faithfully as you did brings you comfort.
Nancy Shannon
Though I did not personally know Dennis…….I have heard many good things about him from fellow Springmillers. Rest in peace, Dennis.
Al & Gloria Maloney
Our prayers and condolences to the family on the passing of Dennis. Dennis was a kind and caring soul and will be truly missed.
Br. Joseph Walsh
I was sorry to hear about the passing of Dennis. Will keep Dennis and the family in my prayers and at Mass. May he rest in peace. Brother Joe