Joseph E. Dennison

Joseph E. Dennison, 79, of Pelican Bay,Daytona Beach, died September 18, 2012. Mr. Dennison served in the United States Navy from 1952 until his retirement in 1978, in a variety of ships, duty stations and positions. He graduated from the University of Central Florida in 1985 and practiced accounting until his retirement in 2006. Although born in South Philadelphia where he spent many of his earlier childhood years, Mr. Dennison preferred to call Toms River, New Jersey his home town. He moved to Daytona Beach in 1978. He is survived by his loving wife, Shirley; his three children of an earlier marriage, Thomas, Robert and James of Jacksonville; his grandchildren Christopher, Joshua, and Nicholas of Jacksonville; his sister, Sue Marie Cumberton, Holmes Beach; his stepdaughters Theresa McCoy, Anderson, SC and Michelle Walters, Raleigh, NC; and three great-grandsons Christopher, Ashton, and Nicholas, Jr. He was a member of the National Association of Tax Practioners, the Daytona Beach Men’s Golf Association and served as its President in 2005, the Fleet Reserve Association, The Tin Can Sailors Association, and also served as President of the USS Manley (DD-940) Association from 2000 until 2010. For his service with distinction, he was named lifetime President Emeritus. Mr. Dennison was very proud of his naval service, having served in the USS Gilbert Islands (CVE-107), USS Lake Champlain (CVA-39), USS Essex (CVA-9), USS Canopus (AS-34), homeported in Holy Loch, Scotland, USS Manley(DD-940), aircraft squadrons VR-6, VW-4 and VA-174, and Naval Air Station Cecil Field and Air Station Jacksonville. For his outstanding leadership qualities, he was appointed Command Master Chief Petty officer for the Antilles Defense Command and the Naval Station, Roosevelt Roads, Puerto Rico. He was awarded the Navy Commendation Medal, Navy Achievement Medal, Navy Meritorious Unit Commendation, Good Conduct Medal with Silver Star, National Defense Service Medal with Bronze Medal, Vietnam Gallantry Cross, Vietnam Presidential Unit Citation, Republic of Vietnam Service Medal with Campaign Star, and Vietnam Campaign Medal. Joe was also nominated for Force Chief Petty Officer, Commander, U.S. Service Force, Atlantic Fleet, and Force Master Chief Petty Officer, Commander, Naval Air, Atlantic Fleet. A Memorial Service will be held on 1:00 p.m. Sunday at Volusia Memorial Funeral Home, 4815 Clyde Morris Boulevard in Port Orange. Mr. Dennison will be interred at Arlington National Cemetery. Memorial donations in lieu of flowers may be made to the National Leukemia and Lymphoma Society and the Daytona State College Scholarship Foundation. Condolences may be shared with the family at www.volusiamemorialfuneral.com.