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Dennis

Patrick

Galvin

June 25, 1961

December 30, 2006

Dennis Patrick Galvin, 45, passed away on Saturday December 30, 2006 surrounded by his family at Renown Medical Center in Reno. Dennis was a lifelong resident of Reno. He graduated from Bishop Manogue High School and the University of Nevada, Reno and was employed by the Nevada System of Higher Education as a Senior Budget Analyst.

Den was a sports enthusiast who enjoyed the outdoors. He especially loved camping, boating, and entertaining at Buck’s Lake. He was a medalist in the downhill at the National Handicapped Ski Championship in New Hampshire in 1987. His trip was underwritten by the Reno community following an article about Dennis and his accomplishments authored by Rolland Melton. Dennis was one of the original players for the Silver State High Rollers Wheelchair Basketball team. He recently began bicycling which he loved to do with his beloved canine companion Andy and he was also learning to be a boxing judge. Dennis was a member of the Catholic Church, the Sons of Erin, and the Reno Turf Club Roundtable.

Den was a legendary practical joker who took great pride in his bag of tricks. Many of his friends and family were targets of his old stand-bys such as the gift of a bogus winning scratch off lottery ticket or a surprise Happy Birthday song (along with special birthday hat and Groucho Marx glasses) at Pinocchio’s Restaurant when it wasn’t their birthday.

It was impossible to stay mad at Dennis for any length of time. Everyone who knew him remembers the twinkle in his eyes that made you look on the bright side of life. Den’s dog Andy has the same expression and we are certain that the staff at Canine Companions for Independence (CCI) recognized this when they paired Andy with Den. In accordance with Dennis’ wishes Andy will be reassigned if possible as determined by CCI.

Den especially loved his nephews and nieces, and he faithfully attended their games, recitals, plays, baptisms, communions, graduations, birthdays, and other special occasions. Uncle Den always managed to make each nephew or niece believe that they were his favorite and they all knew he was always on their side.

Dennis was an inspiration to everyone who came in contact with him. Following his funeral there will be a celebration of life (old fashioned Irish wake) at the El Dorado Hotel & Casino.

Dennis was preceded in death by his father Cornelius. He is survived by his devoted mother Joan, brothers Tim (Joanna) and John (Elisabeth), sisters Bridget Brush (Steve) and Margaret Brisbois (John) and his nephews and nieces Rodney, Jason, Brian, Kaitlin, Kelly, Kevin, Gina, Alexis, Kaylin, Ireland, Carrie, Kevin, Alec, Mitchell, Richard, Jennifer, Madison, Makayla, and Kaiden.

A Mass is scheduled at Our Lady of Snows Catholic Church, 1138 Wright Street, Reno, NV at 11:00 a.m. on Friday January 5, 2007. Visitation is scheduled at Walton Funeral Home, 875 West Second Street, Reno, NV on Thursday January 4, 2007 from 4:00 to 7:00 p.m. followed by the Recitation of the Holy Rosary. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Canine Companions for Independence, P.O. Box 446, Santa Rosa, CA 95402-0446. The family would like to express their sincere gratitude for the outstanding care and compassion provided to Dennis by the Renown Medical Center Courtyard ICU Nurses and Staff.

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