Dennis Oswald Witter, 68, of Tampa, FL, was called home to rest on January 16, 2021.
Born in Manhattan, NY. Throughout his life Dennis resided in the Bronx, New York, and Teaneck, NJ. He has a BS from Northern Michigan University then went onto receive a Master’s in Public Administration from Fairleigh Dickinson University.
Dennis is survived by his devoted wife Winsome, his three children- Kwame (Elaine), Nicholas, and Marissa, his grandchildren- Imani and Jayde, his brother -Theodore (in laws Joy and Jeanette), his nieces, a large extended family, and many friends. He was preceded in death by his parents Oswald and Ethel Witter.
Dennis worked for the Department of Juvenile Justice and retired working in the Probation Department.
Throughout his life Dennis was instrumental in shaping the lives of those around him. He was an avid basketball player and coached an array of youth sports teams. He had a way of connecting with troubled and disadvantaged youth. Through his leadership and service to his community he received countless accolades.
His charismatic personality, strong will, determination, and positive attitude allowed him to persevere through his many health challenges throughout the years. Dennis was a force to be reckoned with and insisted on his independence no matter how precarious the situation.
In retirement, he ensured he always had a Heineken in hand and brought a good laugh to the faces of those in his presence. He seized every minute that was afforded to him and always was the life of every gathering. He was forever willing to help friends and family in whatever way he could.
Dennis’s greatest joy was the love of his wife of 33 years, Winsome, and the family they raised together. He was a beloved friend and cherished member of his family.
A Celebration of Life will be held at a later date.
Memorial Donations may be made in Dennis’ name to LifePath Hospice, 3010 West Azeele St. Suite 120, Tampa, FL 33609. 813-871-8111
25 Comments
Beverly Bartholomew
May his soul rest in peace and God gives his family and strength and courage to go on. Let his memories never be forgotten.
Anonymous
Love you my cousin will miss you very much. May your soul Rest In Peace ❤️
Krystal R.
Rest easy my friend. Your “air-blown kisses” will be missed, and your laughter and bright spirit forever cherished. Your independence and determination was, and will always be, an inspiration to me. God bless your family – Winsome, Kwame, Nick, and Marissa, God’s love never fades in good times and bad times.
Frank Howell
Dennis and I shared the same birthday which might have been the seed for our connection. I shared many happy memories with him, from attending Buccs games to domino games. I will forever miss him. To his wife and family, my most sincere condolences. May you rest in peace, my friend.
Veda, Fran, Kim, Tricia and Bryce
We are grateful to have known such a cheerful and wonderful person. He will be missed. Rest in peace Dennis
Celia Witter
Rest in peace my beloved cousin! You will be greatly missed for your kind words and charming personality. Walk good cuz!
Skeeter (Camille)
Gone not forgotten , Although we are apart, your spirit lives within me. More like a big brother than a cousin , you will remain forever in my heart .
Anonymous
Love you Uncle Dennis. Rest In Peace
LisaMayrant-Taylor
I have such found memories of Dennis .,words fall short of expressing my sorrow for your loss . My sincere condolences to the entire family . Rest Peaceful Dennis 🙏🏽
Debbie
RIP cousin. You were a loving force in our lives never to be forgotten. Your strength, determination and positive attitude was bar none. You’re safe and sound now with aunt Lil and uncle Ozzie and perhaps playing dominoes! Much love, always.
Phyllis Lawrence
Rest in peace my dear friend and former co-worker (Department of Juvenile Justice). I will always cherish the good memories we shared at work and the fact that we also shared the same birthday month and year. To the family, please accept my deepest condolences and know that God loves you and can restore your spirits, give you peace, and strengthen you. Always remember, ” Wherever a beautiful soul has been, there is a trail of beautiful memories”.
Ewan, Zenia, Christopher, Christine, Camille. and family.
Rest in peace, Dennis. You will be missed. Our families will remember the great times we had, food, drinks and conversation. You were one of the best.
Trevor
Condolences to Winsome, Teddy, Kwame, Nicholas , Marissa , we have lost an enduring light, the best friend n cousin dat was ever created, d original American / Jamaican, gone but never to b forgotten. U truly was an amazing person , walk n Rest In Peace Spar
Rushy
Rest in peace my cuz.You will be truly missed and always be in my thoughts
Rushy
RIP cuz you wii be truly missed but always in my thoughts
Ted
I had the pleasure to be Dennis’ brother for 68 years. He was my best friend, an energetic, lovable, funny, and intelligent individual — never able to sit still. Even the stroke did not impeded or slow him down. All who knew him loved him. Dennis, you are truly mi
ssed; I love you, until we meet again.
“Te amo, pal.”
Michael Witter
My grandmother, Louise Verley, returned from a visit to the USA with my two toddler cousins in 1953 – I was just past the toddler stage, more like a little boy. In retrospect, it must have been to ease the pressure off their parents for a while. They had been in the USA for 6 years, still getting settled. Teddy and Dennis came to Jamaica and spent many months with us. In those days, I spent a lot of time at my Grandmother’s house for similar reasons. My mother had four kids, including twins, all less than 5 years old, and was expecting a fifth. The bonds with Dennis, and Teddy, and our uncles Bob, Glaister, Frank, and Milton reach back to that period when we all lived in my grandmother’s house on Orange Street. It was not far from Dennis’ paternal grandmother’s, Miss Ida’s, house, which meant that the bonds with that family, around these two kids, became even stronger. In the years that followed, Dennis and Teddy would spend summers in Jamaica, sharing their time between their maternal and paternal families. In another space, I could tell chronicles of Dennis – catching lizards, getting bitten by wasps, playing various ball games, riding bicycles, and being Dennis. Being Dennis was a unique experience, far different from the lives of most people. I doubt if anyone knows even half of the dimensions – maybe Teddy would know by instinct but not by participation. Dennis was a character in search of a script. I will remember him as an extremely warm, generous person, always eager to please, with a brain that moved at lightning speed, and speech that sometimes caught up with it. When I was a graduate student at the University of Wisconsin in Madison in the early 1970s, Dennis would just turn up at random times, coming from somewhere, and going somewhere else, not necessarily from or to his home in New York. Once he told me, he had to stop by to play basketball with some guys that he had met during the random visit before. And so it was, in my life, it was as if Dennis never left but for a short time. He was always popping in, wherever I lived, and whatever I was doing, in person or by phone. In the years after his stroke, his spirit remained strong, as the limits of his incredible body shrank. I remember going into a store in the Bronx, New York, that sold knives with Dennis. He asked to see a pretty big folded knife – a maxi penknife – and flicked it open, like it was a switchblade to the astonishment of the storeowner and me. Dennis once told me that he was the toughest 125 pound ball player, and I knew that to be true. I wish I had spent more time in his waning years with him, especially after I was leaving from a visit. He always made it seem that the short visit had been very long, that I had always been there, and that I would be there again tomorrow. I am glad that he has escaped the trap of his once beautiful, fantastic body. It must have been hell for a mind so fertile and agile, that once had a body to match, to be trapped, forever. I am sure Dennis will be with me, and those who he loved, and who loved him, forever. RIP, Dennis, Scamp, Noogy Noogy, with all the love and affection that you shared with all of us.
Ed & Joyce McKenzie
To Winsome and family please accept our heartfelt sympathy. It was a pleasure knowing your family. Dennis was always cheerful and welcoming. He will be missed.
Arielle
Uncle D was one the most vibrant, lively, and positive person anyone could meet or hope to encounter in their lifetime! It was honestly a pleasure to be in his presence and know him — despite any and all challenges thrown his way, he always managed to feel “perfect” throughout it all. He was the embodiment of the expression “joie de vivre!”
Uncle D, you will be so dearly missed, as will your regularly friendly phone calls and visits — hope you’re eating yummy shrimp, chicken wings, and have an ice-cold beer in hand wherever you are!
Woolsey and Dolly
We miss you so much your laughter sense of humor kindness and love for family Your call to make sure Wolsey and I were ok if you didn’t see us for a while We are sad at your passing but you are in a better place now May your soul rest in peace Our deepest sympathy to Winnie Marissa and Nicky
woolsey and Dolly
Dennis we miss you so much your laughter sense of humor and your love for family.Your calls to make sure Woolsey and I were ok if you didn’t see us for while.We are sad at you passing but you are in a better place now .May your soul ret in peace Our sympathy to Winnie Nikki and Marissa.
Woolsey Dolly and Mike
Den we miss you so much you sweet spirit ‘ laughter sense of humor and your love for family and friends and everyone who knew you Always making sure Woolsey and I was well if you didn’t see him for a while. We are sad at your passing but you are resting in a better place .May your soul Rest In Peace Our deepest sympathy to Winnie Nikki and Marissa May God give you peace and comfort
Frank Fetnandez
To Dennis family,
Worked with him at DJJ.Great guy and friend.
.
Michael and Carla Holness and family.
I have such fond memories of Dennis in his younger years. He always had such a bright, energetic, and positive spirit. He will surely be missed. Love and prayers for God’s peace and grace for both the immediate and extended Witter family from our family.
Michelle
My love for my Uncle D will always have me squeezing as much out of life as I can – we all knew about Uncle D’s grip.
I can catch a lizard with a grass blade,
whip up a mean scrambled eggs the best when it’s breakfast for dinner or a breaking night meal. I can cast a line and bait a hook to hang with the guys, change a tire, check my oil, jump in a car and road-trip with confidence, ride a rollercoaster, hold my own at retro Atari games, and read a room. I have learnt from the best uncle a niece could have.
Much love Uncle D💐