Dennis Michael Roarty

A memorial service for Dennis will be held Monday, March 4, 2024 from 1:00 PM to 2:00 PM at Kraeer-Becker Funeral Home and Cremation Center, 217 E Hillsboro Blvd, Deerfield Beach, FL 33441, preceded by a visitation from 12:00 PM to 1:00 PM.

Dennis Michael Roarty, beloved husband, brother, father, grandfather and friend, died peacefully on February 26, 2024, with his wife of over 32 years, Carol Roarty, by his side. Born on June 22, 1945 in Akron, Ohio, he was the son of John D. Roarty and Margueritte S. Roarty. In addition to his loving wife, he is survived by his son Daniel and daughter-in-law Susan; stepdaughter Heather Hartman and her husband Colin McKean; grandchildren, Ginger, Sarajane, and Wynne Roarty, and Alex and Zach McKean; and his brother Brian Roarty.

After living briefly in San Francisco, CA, the family moved to Shaker Heights in the suburbs of Cleveland. An idyllic community in his eyes, Dennis shared stories of his childhood living here with a great sense of pride and gratitude. As many communities struggled with integration, Shaker Heights was known as a place of diversity and equality. These values were instilled in Dennis at a young age and stayed with him throughout his life. Growing up in Shaker Heights, Dennis had many jobs including newspaper delivery, sealcoating driveways and caddying at a local country club.

It was at the country club that his love of golf grew and never waned. What began as an athletic endeavor, quickly became much more. Golf’s rich heritage and traditions spoke to his love of history. The camaraderie and social interaction were time shared with friends and family. The competition and challenge of golf allowed for continual analysis and improvement. In later years, after he could no longer swing a club, he worked on his putting stroke. He was finally able to drain 3-foot putts, or so we’re told.

After four wonderful years at Shaker Heights High School, Dennis attended Miami University in Oxford, Ohio. While a student at Miami, he joined Sigma Alpha Epsilon Fraternity, one of the most treasured experiences of his life. Within Miami’s SAE Chapter, Dennis found a diverse group of men and the foundation of lifelong friendships was formed. This time in his life paid dividends for Dennis for decades to come. In the years following college, Dennis and his fraternity brothers found themselves spread around the country and across the globe, on account of war, career, and family. Dennis worked tirelessly to track down phone numbers and addresses to keep them connected. By the early 1980s, he began organizing reunions and their steadfast group gathered again on Miami’s beautiful campus. As they reached retirement, they began sharing time together in Florida and over zoom. These loyal friends remained connected and supported each other through some of life’s greatest challenges, which was truly a gift to Dennis.

After graduating from Miami University, Dennis joined the Navy in 1967 and entered flight school in Pensacola, Florida. In 1968, he married Dotsy (nee Wilbern) Roarty and was stationed in Corpus Christie, Texas. In 1971, their son Danny was born, and they moved to Ocean City, Maryland the following year.

The Ocean City area would remain home for over 40 years. The dramatic growth of the resort town led to a fulfilling career in real estate. Dennis retired in 2014 as the Regional Vice President of Coldwell Banker. In addition, Ocean City kept Dennis close to family. He valued the strong bonds tying his extended family together and found the time spent with aunts, uncles, cousins, nieces and nephews at Glenn Dale Golf Club and Twin Shields Golf Club to be some of the most rewarding. He was extremely proud of all their hard work and zest for life and was profoundly grateful for their friendship.

The value of relationships and camaraderie was of the utmost importance to Dennis, which was also evident during his cherished years in both Ocean City, Maryland and Deerfield Beach, Florida. As a resort town, Ocean City is home to a wide array of characters, whom Dennis embraced. He fostered friendships in many places, whether he was on the golf course, on the field playing recreational softball, or in the tight knit real estate industry.

A member of the Delmarva Irish American Club, Dennis was proud of his role in helping to establish the Ocean City St. Patrick’s Day Parade as an annual event, bringing thousands to Ocean City each year to celebrate and contribute to important causes. Dennis marched proudly in the annual parade, carrying his shillelagh and escorting a representative of the Embassy of Ireland. Since the founding of the parade in 1980 the club has donated over $530,000 in scholarships to local high school students and contributions to local charities.

In 1991, Dennis married his high school sweetheart, Carol. Together, they shared in the joy of traveling with many trips to Ireland. Later in life, they found an incredible community of friends in Deerfield Beach and were able to bask in the joy of watching Dennis’s son, Danny, and Carol’s daughter, Heather, each start their own families. Dennis was extremely proud of Danny, Heather and each of their spouses and embraced their in-laws as extended family and valued friends.

Dennis absolutely adored all of his grandchildren and was eager to share his immense pride with family, friends, and with the grandchildren themselves, always highlighting their character, distinct personalities, talents and accomplishments.

Dennis Roarty was the consummate ambassador and friend. He embraced the good things in life, perfectly balancing family, friendship, career, heritage, recreation, and service. He will be remembered for his love, kindness, joy, but mostly for his trademark humor and charm.

In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to Trustbridge Hospice Center https://trustbridge.com/give/

A service is also planned for late April in Ocean City, Maryland.