US Marine Corp veteran
LYNN — Dennis P. Ingersoll, Sr. of Lynn passed away at the Massachusetts General Hospital on November 19 at 79 years of age.
Dennis (age 5) aka “Dennis the Menace” grew up in Billerica and was a known troublemaker. An excerpt from his mother’s baby book read, “Dennis is a bastard on wheels. Have put through a year of hell with him. Have got seven complaints from neighbors up to this time August 1950”. Among his many notorious acts was the taking of 25 car keys from the parked cars in front of a local restaurant, “I near died when I had to rush back there with a handful of keys,” his mother wrote.
That all changed on January 24, 1960 when Dennis (age 15) and three of his fellow troublemakers risked their own lives to save two sisters that had fallen through the ice of the Concord River using their bodies as a chain to reach the girls. It was after this event that Dennis started down the path for which all who knew and loved him, remembered him. It was from this event he learned the power of self sacrifice and what it means to be brave and courageous and became “Dennis the Marine”.
On August 15, 1963, the day after his 18th birthday, Dennis joined the United States Marine Corps. Dennis served proudly having been stationed in Italy, Turkey and the Subic Bay in the Philippines until he was honorably discharged in 1967. Dennis truly exemplified the saying “Once A Marine, Always A Marine!” and whether known or not, all his friends, family, students and co-workers had a silent sentry to quietly watch over and protect them.
Dennis drove a bus for the MBTA for 22 years in Boston and you thought a Marine was a tough job. Having moved countless workers, locals and visitors safely to and from the city, he retired from the MBTA in 1989. Then began working as a custodian for the Melrose School System, retiring in the early 2000’s and then worked as a bank teller until his actual retirement in the early 2010s.
Dennis was a devoted husband and companion of 43 years to the late Diane (Hazzard) Ingersoll, his best friend, wife and other half. Dennis and Diane enjoyed spending summers in Old Orchard Beach in Maine, fall at the Von Trapp Family Lodge in Vermont and cruises to Halifax, Nova Scotia and Bermuda. They also went to many US Marine Corps reunions throughout the US. As long as they were together, they were happy and complete. A profound relationship that anyone who knew them, knew was pure and true from the way they looked at each other and the smiles on their faces when in each other’s presence. Dennis is now reunited with Diane, together once more.
He is survived by his son Dennis “Phil” Ingersoll Jr. and his brother Paul “Skip” Ingersoll and family and friends who will always remember his strength, kindness and sense of humor.
Visiting hours were held at the Gately Funeral Home, 79 W. Foster St., Melrose on Sunday, December 1 from 1 to 4 p.m. followed by a funeral service in the funeral home at 4 p.m. Relatives and friends were respectfully invited to attend. To sign online condolence, visit gatelyfh.com.
