March 13, 1948 – January 3, 2019
Dennis Raymond Hyde (70) of Coatesville, PA, departed from this life on Thursday, January 3, 2019 at the Coatesville VA Medical Center. Dennis (“Denny”) is survived by his children, Steven Dennis (Lauren) of Virginia, Jeffery Raymond (Abby) of North Carolina, Jennifer Rose, Daniel Robert and Andrew Paul, all of Downingtown, Pennsylvania; three grandchildren, and a sister, Christine (Dave) Fairbank of Florida. Denny grew up in Leesburg, Virginia, and graduated from Loudoun Valley High School in 1967. He joined the U.S. Army after graduation, and served until 1972, including service in Vietnam.
A skilled Machinist, Denny spent several years working with scientists at the Naval Research Laboratory and other defense contractors. He also created movie props and magic tricks. Denny could take an idea sketched on a napkin and turn it into an intricate piece of equipment out of metal.
Denny was a volunteer firefighter with Leesburg Volunteer Fire Company Station 1 from the mid-1980s until 1993. He had a gift with young children and could make any child across a room smile with just a look. Denny served as a Cub Scout Den Leader and served as an assistant Sunday School teacher and AWANA leader in Gainesville, Virginia, before moving to Pennsylvania in 2006. He also served as an assistant Cub Scout leader and assistant Boy Scout leader in Chester County, Pennsylvania until 2009.
Denny worked from 2011 - 2018 as a patient liaison in the Coatesville VA Medical Center Fresh Start Unit, mentoring and helping veterans recovering from addiction and other issues.
The family wants to recognize the staff and volunteers at the Coatesville VA Medical Center Hospice for being an outstanding group of gifted professionals who go beyond the call of duty for the veterans they serve.
Relatives and friends are invited to Denny’s funeral service on Wednesday, January 9, 2019, 11:30am, at the James J. Terry Funeral Home, 736 E. Lancaster Avenue, Downingtown, PA 19335, where family and friends will be received from 9am-11:30am. Interment will be at a later date and will be private.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Coatesville VA Medical Center Hospice and Palliative Care Program. Checks should be made payable to the Department of Veterans Affairs and sent to the Coatesville VA Medical Center, Voluntary Services, 1400 Black Horse Hill Road, Coatesville, PA 19320. Please include a note requesting the donation be accepted on behalf of Dennis Hyde, Hospice.
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