Gale A. Denn

April 21, 1942 - June 2, 2015

Gale A. Denn, 73, a native of Lakewood, N.Y., passed away on Tuesday, June 2, 2015 at his home. He was my husband, our father, grandfather, brother, uncle and a true friend. Gale loved life and lived each day to the fullest. Gale lived at the Gustavus Adolphus Lutheran Childrens Home in Jamestown, N.Y., from the age of three until he was sixteen years old. Gale always accredited the home with the man he became. He moved to Buffalo to be with his mother and siblings in his late teen years. At the age of eighteen, Gale worked as a laborer in the construction of the Grand Island Bridge. He joined the U.S. Army serving as a combat engineer and attaining the rank of Sergeant E-5 then continuing on in the Army Reserves for seven years. He started his career with the Prudential Insurance Company then moved on to open his own sports store; The Sports Denn. Subsequently he joined the Erie County Sheriff’s Office in Buffalo retiring in 2000 with the rank of Detective. During his Sheriff’s career, Gale received his Associate’s Degree from Hilbert College in Hamburg, NY continuing on to Buffalo State College earning his Bachelor and Master Degrees in Police Management. Throughout his Sheriff’s career, he also served as Eden Town Supervisor for twelve years from 1977- 1990 and sat on numerous Erie County Government boards becoming President of the association of Erie County Governments. Gale was active in the Lakewood Kiwanis Club for 25 years and served as President. He was also a current trustee on the Lakewood Village Board. Upon retirement from the Sheriff’s office and his superior service to Erie County, Gale was recommended to an overseas position in Kosovo as an International Police Advisor for a year and a half. Upon returning to the states, he was once again called as Chief of Operations in Baghdad where he commanded 180 men. Gale eventually returned home to Lakewood, N.Y. where he enjoyed his time with his wife and riding his motorcycle and cruising on the Chautauqua Lake in his boat. He is remembered as a natural born leader that served our country with pride and distinction. His friends and family will remember him as someone who brought life to any room he entered. Gale was a true gentleman and also had a beautiful gift of speech. Gale wanted to send a special thank you to all those that enriched his life. Gale is survived by his wife, Joan Davis Denn of Lakewood, N.Y., a daughter, Julie (Mickey) Skamangus of Fredricksburg, VA, a son, Michael Denn, of Port Charlotte, FLA., a granddaughter, Cecilia Hansen of Fredricksburg, VA,; two brothers, Grant (MaryAnn) of Winterhaven, FLA. and Gary Denn of Mayville, N.Y.; three sisters, Dorothy (Alan) Thomson of Kettering, OH., Rose Nelson of Lakewood, N.Y., and Marjorie Denn of Mayville, N.Y. He is preceded in death by his parents. Friends may call at Powers, Present & Sixbey Funeral Home Inc., 316 East Fifth Street, Jamestown, N.Y. on Thursday from 2-4 PM and 6-8 PM. A funeral service will be held at Bemus Point United Methodist Church, 4954 Bemus Point- Ellery Road, Bemus Point, N.Y. on Friday at 11:00 AM. The Rev. Dr. Bill Allen will officiate. Burial will be in Bemus Point Cemetery, Bemus Point, N.Y. Memorial donations may be made to the Kiwanis Club of Lakewood, P.O. Box 263, Lakewood, N.Y. 14750 or to Hospice Chautauqua County, 20 W. Fairmount Avenue, Lakewood, N.Y. 14750. . To light a candle or to send Gale’s family condolences visit www.presentsixbeyfuneral.com.