Father Pat Dennis
The Reverend Joseph "Patrick" Dennis, age 79, of Boise, passed away peacefully Friday evening, July 12, 2024, at the VA Hospice House with his loving sister Kathe by his side. Many close friends and family members came to see him during his final days. Born into a fun-loving Irish Catholic family on January 10, 1945, in Idaho Falls, to parents John Adams Dennis and Mary G. (Jefferies) Dennis, Pat grew up surrounded with the love of grandparents, uncles, aunts, cousins, and other extended family.
He lived a principled and dedicated life of service, always focusing on those who were struggling or just needed a helping hand. Pat's childhood education came from Catholic schools in Idaho Falls and Pocatello, before moving to Boise in 1957. He attended Saint Joseph's School, graduated from Saint Teresa's Academy in 1963, and briefly attended Boise Junior College.
Enlisting in the Army in May 1966, Pat faithfully served his country for two years and throughout his life remained true to the freedoms our country provides, often referencing the obligation to help others to earn those freedoms. Following his time in the military he worked in Boise for Idaho First National Bank and volunteered at Hays House. It was during this time that he discerned a calling to continue serving others, now as a Catholic Priest. His education, in preparation for ministry included Carroll College in Helena, Montana, Saint Edward's Seminary in Seattle, Washington, and Berkeley Theological Union, in California for graduate school.
Ordained a Roman Catholic Priest on December 28, 1978, he continued the life of a true servant leader. Serving his first assignment as Parochial Vicar at Saint John's Cathedral, Pat seemed to seek those who were the most troubled, struggling with addiction, recovering from tragic life events or poor decisions, and he walked their journey with them. As a living example of Christ's preferential love for the poorest of the poor, he listened, sought resources, never took no for an answer, and even took them into his own home. He was endowed with a special gift for young people, especially those discovering their beliefs or who had compromised them. He once observed that, "Most of us make our most important decisions for our lives from 13 to 23 years of age." So, he entered the breach and went into that decision space to help others. As a teacher, counselor, and Chaplain at Bishop Kelly High School in the 1980s, he was beloved and constantly sought out by students to explain the tenets of their faith in a way a young teenage mind could understand.
In 1989, Pat once again felt called to help those most in need and joined the Federal Prison ministry. Sacrificing by leaving his beloved Idaho mountains, he served the convicted in prisons in Florida, Oregon, and Arizona. As a dedicated and loyal family member, and native Idahoan, this was hard for Pat. He always loved his family, his dogs, his mountains, his trucks (especially if it meant four-wheeling in the foothills) and all of God's creation. The spirituality of Native Americans and the wild instinct, appetite for freedom, and cunning of the wolf intrigued him. Although he was fiercely protective of those he loved, he never judged, and had a slightly wicked sense of humor that went along with the Irish twinkle in his eye.
Pat returned to the Diocese of Boise in 1998, serving at Saint Luke's and Saint Alphonsus Hospitals, and as Pastor at Saint Mary's Parish. He actively served his flock as a Priest for 43 years and in retirement he continued to serve where he could and as his health allowed. He assisted the Idaho Parole Board and helped those re-entering society after serving their sentence. He was always there for the homeless. He also returned to ministering to Soldiers and often filled in as the weekend Chaplain with the Army Reserves at Gowen Field.
He remained staunchly independent until shortly before his death. Pat is survived by his older brother, Dr. John Michael Dennis (Barb) of Oklahoma City, Oklahoma; his younger sister Kathleen Ann (Dennis) McCurry (Mick) of Meridian, Idaho; and numerous cousins, nieces and nephews, and grand nieces and nephews who adored him. Pat was preceded in death by his parents John and Mary Dennis, and his older sister Rosemary Therese (Dennis) Wilson and her husband Dr. David Wilson, beloved grandparents J.H and Josephine Jefferies, and Samuel and Sarah Dennis.
A Catholic Funeral Mass will be celebrated in honor of Pat's life at 2:00 pm on August 9th, 2024, at Saint John's Cathedral, 805 N.8th St. Boise. Celebration of Life Gathering following the Mass. Internment and Rite of Committal including military honors will be a private family affair at a separate time.
Donations or remembrances should be made to Bishop Kelly High School, Saint Joseph's School, Corpus Christi House, St. Vincent DE Paul or the Diocesan Fund for Retired Priests.
"Dare to do the good that must be done!"
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