GLOUCESTER: Maurice T. Dench, Jr., 88, died early Monday, November 10, 2008 in the Seacoast Nursing & Rehabilitation Center. He was the husband of Virginia M. (Carr) Brophy Dench.
Born in Gloucester on September 10, 1920, he was the son of the late Maurice T., Sr. and Amelia (Duwart) Dench. Maurice attended Gloucester public schools, where he was a recipient of The Sawyer Medal Award. He graduated from Gloucester High School class of 1938. He was also a graduate of Northeastern University in Boston with a Bachelor of Science degree in Civil Engineering in 1947. A U.S. Army veteran of World War II, Maurice served with the Army Corps of Engineers. He served overseas in the Philippine Islands and was honorably discharged on March 1, 1946.
Maurice was a Registered Professional Engineer in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts throughout his professional life. Following his discharge from the service, he began working for the City of Gloucester as a Transitman and later as the Acting City Engineer. From 1953 until 1982, he was employed by the Essex County in the engineering department and for his last thirteen years with them, he was the Assistant County Engineer. He retired in September of 1982.
Maurice led a very active life. In the community he was a member of the Gloucester Skippers, a square dancing club, where he not only enjoyed the dancing, but he also taught and called square dances. He enjoyed playing the guitar and sang with the Rockport Community Chorus and the Cape Ann Singers. An avid outdoorsman, he was a true conservationist and lover of nature. He enjoyed fishing, sailing, kayaking, ice skating, playing tennis and cross country skiing. He was also a great swimmer, an avid reader and crossword puzzle solver with a keen mind, a quick wit and a great sense of humor. He loved his family and friends and he was truly loved by them. He will be greatly missed by all who knew him.
In addition to his wife of twenty years, he is survived by a daughter and son-in-law, Cynthia Dench-Irish and Michael Irish of Melrose, three sons and a daughter-in-law, Peter and Cristine Dench, David Dench and Donald Dench all of Gloucester, three stepchildren, Christine (Brophy) and her husband, David Curley, and Neila (Brophy) and her husband, Mark LeBeau all of Gloucester and Mark and his wife, Donna Brophy of Newburyport, twelve grandchildren, a sister-in-law, Lois Dench of Gloucester, many nieces, nephews and cousins and his dear friend, Joe Orange of Gloucester. He was also predeceased by his first wife, Alicia (Karvellas) Dench, a sister, Barbara Sponagle, a brother, Richard Dench and a daughter-in-law, Dawn Dench.
His funeral services will be held on Friday in the Mt. Pleasant Cemetery, East Gloucester at 9 a.m. Relatives and friends are cordially invited to attend. There are no visiting hours. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made in his memory to the Cape Ann Animal Aid, 260 Main St., Gloucester, “Friends of Seacoast”, c/o Seacoast Nursing & Rehabilitation Center, 292 Washington St., Gloucester or to the St. John’s Episcopal Church, 48 Middle St., Gloucester.