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Gerald “Jerry” Dennis, Captain 29, 74, Lake Ariel, died Monday afternoon at home following a terminal illness.  His wife of 49 years is the former Dorothy Shay.

Born August 6, 1944, in Jermyn to the late Hope Dennis Verduce and Joseph Verduce, he was a graduate of the Archbald High School.  Jerry served his country honorably first in the Army National Guard and then enlisted in the United States Navy where he served in the Vietnam War.

Jerry was a longtime Captain of the Jefferson Township  Volunteer Ambulance, EMS Instructor, EMT Course Coordinator, EMS Skills Evaluator and a member of the Board of Directors of the EMS of NEPA.   He was a member of the VFW Post 6520.

Also surviving are his children; Christopher Sidorenko of Texas; Vicki Muir and her husband Wayne of Lake Ariel;  Steven Dennis and his wife Michelle of Mt Cobb and Hope Edmonds and her husband Ryan of Georgia; a sister Maryjo Solack of Clarks Summit; a brother Philip Verduce; grandchildren Samantha Muir, who her Poppy was very proud to have helped deliver, Asa, Andrew, Alison, Aiden, Grayson and Julianna Dennis; step grandchildren Erik, Kimberly and Brandon Muir; several nieces and nephews, and his cousins Jerry “Biggie” Dennis, Patrick “Onion” Dennis and wife Valerie, Susan Dennis, Charles “Chucky” Dennis, Helen Merrifield, Cathy Pitoniak, and Dennis Pitoniak.

“Jerry will always be revered as a true legend in the EMS community throughout northeast PA. Jerry touched the lives and made a difference not only in the patients he directly treated but even more so through his life long dedication to the training and instruction of countless EMS students through the years.

He was a leader, a teacher and most importantly a friend to so many in EMS and beyond. His extended family will forever include his “kids” who were lucky enough to have been blessed by his guidance.

Jerry’s knowledge and compassion will now forever be instilled in the hands and hearts of so many providers who remain and will proudly carry on his legacy of a life dedicated to the service of others.” stated so eloquently by Jeff Kovalchik

Funeral services will be held Friday at 10am in the James Wilson Funeral Home 143 Gravity Rd. Lake Ariel.

Friends may call Thursday from 3-7pm.

Cremation will follow in the Lake Region Crematory.

In lieu of flowers memorial contribution should be made to the VFW Post 6520 846 Cortez Rd. Jefferson Twp, PA 18436