Dennis Harold Beris

Dennis’ earthly sunrise arrived on February 19, 1964 when Cuban immigrants Georgina Cassmira (Machado) and Harold Celestine Beris welcomed their first-born son into the world at New York’s Columbia Presbyterian hospital.

Upon immigrating to the United States, Georgina and Harold lived in Manhattan and Queens before settling in Brooklyn New York with the assistance of their sponsors Mr. & Mrs. Phillip Schwartz. Growing up in Brooklyn during the 70s for the Beris clan was just like the movie, Crooklyn, and shaped Dennis’ later adult life. Dennis and his younger siblings grew up on Sheffield Street playing stickball, handball, skully, red light/green light 123, RCK and riding skateboards and bicycles. An avid baseball enthusiast, Dennis played and mastered stickball and baseball. He loved the Cincinnati Reds (Pete Rose was his idol). That love of baseball and a once in a lifetime summer at exclusive Camp Takajo in Naples, Maine also gave Dennis the opportunity to be a bat boy for the New York Metropolitans (Mets) for a season.

As a teenage Dennis worked for Carvel Ice Cream and worked as a private Chauffer for a retail entrepreneur. Imagine being a teen and driving a limo throughout the streets of New York City! Dennis loved driving. He used to say that for him, driving was somewhat therapeutic. His late night drives would have him listening to talk and consumer newscasts. Driving led Dennis to Atlanta where two life milestones happened—he moved to Georgia and met Michelle. Dennis started as a loader and was gradually promoted over the next twenty years to tractor trailer driver for the Fedex Corporation, and ultimately to Manager for Kroger Southeast Delivery in Tampa. Dennis lived for and was a hard for his wife of 30 years Michelle, daughter Olivia and extended family but that was not surprising considering the strong work ethics instilled in him by his parents and loved ones. Dennis attended and/or graduated from Thomas Jefferson High School (Brooklyn), Southern University of Seventh Day Adventists (Tennessee), and St. Leo University (Florida). That inner drive continued in Dennis as he graduated with his Bachelor of Science Degree in Business Management (BS), But Dennis didn’t stop there—before his transition, Dennis was only 2 classes shy of realizing his dream of graduating with a Masters Degree in Business Administration (MBA). Dennis’ philosophy regarding education came from his parent’s examples and belief that ‘knowledge is power”. As a result, he prided himself in telling his younger siblings, Hey, I do my homework so that I can never be cheated/scammed! 

Dennis’ passions/favorites were sports, finding the best NY style pizza, home renovations/improvements, politics, reading/learning, Tillamook vanilla ice cream w/ apple pie and his native Cuban cuisine. Anyone who knew Dennis automatically knew the following about him: Dennis had a genuine and outgoing personality; Dennis was always generous and available to lend a hand, his time, or an attentive ear to anyone; and last but not least--DENNIS LOVED HIS FAMILY AND SPENDING TIME WITH THEM WHENEVER POSSIBLE. His circle of family included his wife, daughter, siblings, and extended family and friends from the Seventh Day Adventist faith. Growing up in SDA schools and the SDA church gave Dennis a common perspective SDAs have regarding death—Death is not permanent but merely a transition towards something much better, peaceful and eternal for those that love the Lord and each other.

Dennis’ earthly sunset unexpectedly shook everyone to the core on January 5, 2024 when the Lord spoke, and Dennis was called to transition towards his eternal home. Dennis was preceded in death by his parents, grandparents and a host of aunts, uncles, cousins, and friends. No doubt Dennis is in good company, though his absence leaves an unfillable void that seems to have created a shift in the universe as we know it. Life will not be the same on this side of eternity without him. Dennis leaves behind to mourn his absence his wife Michelle (Pratt), daughter Olivia Denise (Perry), Son-in-Law Brennen (Perry), Sister Caroline (Berís-Govéa), Brother Ulysses (Beris), Brother Alex (Beris), Sister Tania Waters, Sisters-In-Law Kyra (Beris), Monique/Nikki (Mallette), Brother-in-Law Anthony Mallette and Vladimir Govéa; nieces Jaquline/Quelli, Kristian (Peter Radovcic), Tionka (Marvin Marshall); nephews Julian, Myles, AJ, Bryce, Brenden and Fernandez (Felicia Pratt); baby great-nephew Theo Celestine Anthony Cotton; aunts Emilia, Josefina (Nonato) and Rachel; cousins Virginia, Annette, Jocelyn, Daniel, Darlene, Misael, Ariel, Asael, Roy, Jerry, Paul, Joshua, Jerome, ENY Brooklyn Brothers from childhood Daniel Webster, Bengie Chavez, Miguel Rodriguez, Orlando; and a host of extended family and friends.

Though his time with us was very short, we are blessed and better individuals for having Dennis in our lives. While his departure has left an unimaginable void in the lives of those who knew and loved him, his gregarious spirit will live on in the hearts of all who were touched by his presence. Dennis’ relationship with each of us was a gift to be treasured. He can now rest in peace until that ‘great getting up mornin’, when we shall see Dennis again in glory!

Yes, Dennis--You left us way too soon, but you will never be forgotten! You will always be loved!

Funeral services will be held Saturday Jan. 13 at 12 Noon in the chapel of Georgia Memorial Park Funeral Home with