Dennis M. Erne
Born August 20, 1944 Died June 2, 2008
After Dennis graduated from Latin, he attended North Central Collage, Naperville, Ill. He graduated on May 29, 1966. He majored in Economics and Business.
During those four years, he was under treatment for rhumatoid arthritis at the Cleveland Clinic. He had knee surgery which left his right leg stiff, a result of being in traction. Not a lot was known back then about that condition. The doctors put him on a regiment of aspirin as well as other medications. In years to come he had several operations on various joints and two total knee replacements and one revision. Over half of his stomach was removed due to the aspirin. But he was a fighter. He never complained and people were amazed at how quickly he bounced back. He was on a tread mill every day.
When Dennis returned from college he was hired at the Clevite Corp accounting deptartment in Cleveland. He was there about two years when I first met him. He hired me to work in the accounting dept. During the interview we discovered that we lived on the same street during our high school years, he at one end and I at the other. Never did we meet until the day I was hired. We were married about a year later. May 24, 1969. We had two children soon after we were married, a girl Tracy Denise and a boy Erik Adam. They are 16 months apart. Dennis loved being a dad and grandpa. His children always came first in his life. He was the most generous, honest and loving man. We were married 39 years plus one month.
Then our lives changed as they have a way of doing. Dennis got a job offer from Picker XRay, in Ct. Only it was the industrial division. Then that Division became the Diano Corp. Then He and two others formed the TFI Corp., Technology For Industry . Dennis was the principal owner. From there he changed jobs to work for the APA (Associated Plan Administrators). This was a third party administrative insurance company, owned by his friend who passed away not long after. Dennis became principal owner and treasurer. He retired early.
In spite of all this, Dennis did have some favorite things he liked to do. One was attend hockey games. We started going to watch the Cleveland Barons. We were both hooked! Then when we moved to Ct., and our choices expanded with New Haven (AHL team), Boston and NY. Hockey was in our blood. When our son was not yet 5, we signed him up for lessons and that began his love for hockey as well. He played both forward and goal on various travel teams. But the private school he was attending didn’t offer hockey as a sport. So the Jesuits wanted him and he went on to play goaltender for Fairfield Prep High School. He attended Quinnipiac College and has a degree in accounting.
Erik had two sons and one daughter. The oldest boy Adam Dennis started skating almost before he could walk. He is now 20. He lived away from home since he was 13 to play and train for various hockey teams (living with other hockey families) some x NHL players. His last 3-4 years were with the Quebec Remparts . He was invited to attend the NHL Draft and was chosen 33rd over all to the Tampa Bay Lightning NHL team. He will know by the end of this month (8/2015), if they are ready for him.
We know in our hearts that “grandpa” had something to do with this. They say “if only he could be here to see this”, but believe me, he has been.
Contributed by Dennis's wife, Launa (August, 2015)
Note from Launa Erne (4/28/2017)
Our grandson Adam Erne was called up to play for the NHL Tampa Bay Lightning #73. Dennis would have been so proud. The season is over now. We just missed being in the play offs. Looking forward to next season.
Born August 20, 1944 Died June 2, 2008
After Dennis graduated from Latin, he attended North Central Collage, Naperville, Ill. He graduated on May 29, 1966. He majored in Economics and Business.
During those four years, he was under treatment for rhumatoid arthritis at the Cleveland Clinic. He had knee surgery which left his right leg stiff, a result of being in traction. Not a lot was known back then about that condition. The doctors put him on a regiment of aspirin as well as other medications. In years to come he had several operations on various joints and two total knee replacements and one revision. Over half of his stomach was removed due to the aspirin. But he was a fighter. He never complained and people were amazed at how quickly he bounced back. He was on a tread mill every day.
When Dennis returned from college he was hired at the Clevite Corp accounting deptartment in Cleveland. He was there about two years when I first met him. He hired me to work in the accounting dept. During the interview we discovered that we lived on the same street during our high school years, he at one end and I at the other. Never did we meet until the day I was hired. We were married about a year later. May 24, 1969. We had two children soon after we were married, a girl Tracy Denise and a boy Erik Adam. They are 16 months apart. Dennis loved being a dad and grandpa. His children always came first in his life. He was the most generous, honest and loving man. We were married 39 years plus one month.
Then our lives changed as they have a way of doing. Dennis got a job offer from Picker XRay, in Ct. Only it was the industrial division. Then that Division became the Diano Corp. Then He and two others formed the TFI Corp., Technology For Industry . Dennis was the principal owner. From there he changed jobs to work for the APA (Associated Plan Administrators). This was a third party administrative insurance company, owned by his friend who passed away not long after. Dennis became principal owner and treasurer. He retired early.
In spite of all this, Dennis did have some favorite things he liked to do. One was attend hockey games. We started going to watch the Cleveland Barons. We were both hooked! Then when we moved to Ct., and our choices expanded with New Haven (AHL team), Boston and NY. Hockey was in our blood. When our son was not yet 5, we signed him up for lessons and that began his love for hockey as well. He played both forward and goal on various travel teams. But the private school he was attending didn’t offer hockey as a sport. So the Jesuits wanted him and he went on to play goaltender for Fairfield Prep High School. He attended Quinnipiac College and has a degree in accounting.
Erik had two sons and one daughter. The oldest boy Adam Dennis started skating almost before he could walk. He is now 20. He lived away from home since he was 13 to play and train for various hockey teams (living with other hockey families) some x NHL players. His last 3-4 years were with the Quebec Remparts . He was invited to attend the NHL Draft and was chosen 33rd over all to the Tampa Bay Lightning NHL team. He will know by the end of this month (8/2015), if they are ready for him.
We know in our hearts that “grandpa” had something to do with this. They say “if only he could be here to see this”, but believe me, he has been.
Contributed by Dennis's wife, Launa (August, 2015)
Note from Launa Erne (4/28/2017)
Our grandson Adam Erne was called up to play for the NHL Tampa Bay Lightning #73. Dennis would have been so proud. The season is over now. We just missed being in the play offs. Looking forward to next season.
Dennis and Launy
on the occasion of their 25th wedding anniversary with children Erik and Tracy (1994) 7/31/2015 letter from Bruce Baxter (Dennis Erne's brother-in-law)
I'm Dennis Erne's brother-in-law. His Wife (my sister, Launy) gave me your website. Very nice lay out and photo's. I was able to pick out Dennis from the photos of Basketball and Football. I'm sure you know that Dennis past on a few years ago. He was my closest friend. For years, he and I spent our weekends together, fishing off shore. I know a lot about Dennis and what kind of man he was, none better, he is truly missed. If you would like any more information about him and you think that I may be able to help, feel free to contact me. Regards, Bruce Baxter [email protected] |
Dennis and Launy
(2008) |