This is the saddest news which I just received today.  I met Dennis in 1973! We became fast friends and attended university together commencing in 1974. Have not had the opportunity to talk to him in many years but he was always close in thought, a special person who will forever occupy a place in my heart.  I owe him much - Love and Peace to you Brenda.

Dear Holland Family,

It was so sad to learn of Dennis' passing.  I knew him through his involvement with the Canadian Red Cross over many years.

Dennis was such a genuine and kind person, so caring of people.  He warmed any meeting or gathering with his presence, always listening attentively and engaging others.

It was a privilege to have known Dennis and it is such a pleasure to read the remembrances of his many friends and colleagues.

Please accept my deepest condolences.

Very sorry to hear this news.

I got to know Dennis through the Department of Health and through the Red Cross several years ago.  Dennis was always a very classy and congenial gentleman.  Best wishes and condolences to his family.

Brenda, Patrick, Nick and Barb. It was a wonderful celebration of Dennis' life on Tuesday and so great to see so many people turnout in his honour. I didn't get to say hello then, but the spirit in the room was heartwarming and all in support of you and to remember a great guy! 

I've known Dennis since his student days and I mentioned we hired him in "social services" for a summer, mostly because he played ball  :) 

Our paths crossed so much over the years, getting much closer with Swiss Air when I was Community Services rep and Dennis was the Dept of Hlth rep,  where he always carried and showed his empathy, warmth, humility, kindness, sense of humour, practical way of thinking and sense of duty to help those most vulnerable. He continued exhibiting those and so many more positive traits with his connections to Red Cross. As so many have written, it was his family that made him the most proud. 

It was a pleasure to have known Dennis. This is a difficult time and you and Dennis will be in our thoughts ... John and for Rozanne Webb

It was a pleasure to have known Dennis.  He was an intelligent, hardworking, kind, family man who was community minded.  He was very practical yet had a great sense of humour.  Dennis's spirit will live on forever through the people whose lives he has touched.  May the countless wonderful memories of Dennis bring you and your family comfort during this hard time in your life. 

Our deepest sympathy,
Andréa Speranza, Kevin Meades & 
Lil Cooper too
Dartmouth, Nova Scotia

To the Holland Family, my sincerest condolences. I worked with Dennis at Dept. of Heath, and he was very well-liked and respected. I am very sorry for your loss.
                                                                                     Donna Chislett

To the Holland family,
I was privileged to work with Dennis for a short time at the Dept. of Health. He was a true gentleman and generous soul. He will be greatly missed. Please accept my heartfelt condolences.

Barb and family, so sorry to hear that Dennis has passed away.  Please accept or deepest condolences.

To the Holland Family, 

Please allow me to express my deepest condolences.  There are so many delightful things I could say about Dennis.  I truly hope that my comments adequately capture the essence of what so many feel.

I had the utmost fortune of crossing paths with Dennis early in my present career.  He was so very knowledgeable, competent and articulate. Whenever he spoke, people listened.  

He had a gift of recognizing people's intentions, but at the same time, being the utmost pragmatic (unavoidably), grounding them in a pleasant way. 
He was a straight shooter, but everything he said was done with the utmost tact, making you feel that you were just as important as the next person, though he was incredibly busy aall the while eloquently balancing competing mandates. He was highly knowledgeable, but extremely humble.  He was a true gentleman. 
 
May his example live on, which it surely will, because he has touched so many people's and organizations' lives, all of which are better off because of his ever-present acumen. 

Thank you Dennis.

Brenda, Nicholas and Patrick,
I worked with Dennis for many years at the Dept. of Health and he was always a great support and offered encouragement to all that crossed his path. Dennis was a kind and very gentle soul, and I always enjoyed his sense of humour. He spoke of you Brenda as the love of his life, and was so very proud of both his sons. The world is a bit sadder for having lost such a wonderful person. I consider myself to have been so very fortunate to have gotten to know him and work with him. Please accept my sincerest consolences for your loss.

Brenda, Patrick, Nicholas and family:  I worked with Dennis at N.S. Dept. of Consumer Affairs and Dept. Of Health.  He was simply a wonderful human being...kind, thoughtful, sincere and giving.  Sincere sympathy for this great loss.

Brenda and boys, Dennis was a wonderful colleague. It was truly a privilege to have worked with him.  He spoke of you often and was very proud.  He will be missed.

So sorry to hear that Dennis has passed away.  I went to St. Agnes School and St. Pat's High with Dennis.  He was a caring, wonderful person.  My condolences to his family.  He is at peace now and with loved ones in Heaven.  RIP my dear friend.

Barb and family, I am saddened to hear of Dennis's death. We knew each other as youngsters and later in working situations (and periodically at the Dartmouth Sportsplex!). I admired his clarity and ability to see the 'big' picture. Take care of yourselves, Brian Duggan (From the old days in the west end!)

Brenda, Patrick, Nick and extended family,
I enjoyed immensely working with Dennis in his capacity as both a volunteer and on staff at the Canadian Red Cross and will miss his good nature, insights, deep understanding and often humourous stories, especially regarding the political landscape and civil service he knew so well. His ability to take the complexity of things like rules, regulations and by-laws and condense them into terms and examples anyone could understand was a skill few can master but we all could appreciate. At the memorial service, you asked that those who knew Dennis take the wisdom, friendship and kindness that Dennis demonstrated each day with us going forward in life, and it's an honour to do so. My sincerest condolences.

A gentleman through and through, and always willing and happy to help his neighbour (or rookie public servant).  My wish is that he had an inkling of just how admired and respected he was and will remain.  Dennis my friend, you were one of the good ones!

We will always remember the sweet smile and kind, giving nature Dennis brought to our lives and our dojo!   Brenda, Patrick, Nick and family, you are in our thoughts.  From Darlene, Sensei Ron Fagan and students, past and present, at Metro Karate Training Centre.

Brenda, Patrick and Nicholas
I am so sorry to hear of Dennis's death.  Dennis was a great friend and a wonderful colleague; well respected by everyone who knew him. We often sat together on the ferry each morning; and I always enjoyed his great sense of humour. He was an extremely proud Dad; and often spoke of his wonderful family.  My thoughs and prayers are with you and your family during this very sad time.

For several of my years at the Department of Health in the policy and planning fields, I worked with and reported to Dennis.  He was a man of great integrity, wisdom, insight and empathy who made huge contributions to public policy development in both his professional work and his volunteer roles. My sincerest condolences to Brenda, Patrick and Nick.  Dennis will be missed by many.

Very saddened to hear of Dennis' passing. A 'class act' gentlemen as long as I knew him. I knew him from the Dept of Health. Kind,caring, helpful, thoughtful and wise, is how I always saw him. So sorry for your loss. You are in my thoughts and prayers. Evelina Dunlap

So sad to read that Dennis had passed away.  I worked with him in Government - always a gentleman.  My sincere sympathy to the family.

What a pleasure it was to have worked with Dennis on the Red Cross by-laws in 2012. As legal counsel for the Red Cross, I grew to know Dennis as the consummate professional whose analytical critiques were tempered by a gentle soul and an easy laugh. I will miss him and extend to the family my deepest condolences.

Dennis was a wonderful man with a brilliant mind, a kind heart, and a great laugh. It was a true pleasure to work with him at the Canadian Red Cross. My sincere condolences to his family.

Brenda we are very sorry to hear obout Dennis passing away.  Our sincere condolences go out to you and your boys. 
              Russell and Elaine Graham Eastern Passage

My deepest condolences to the Holland family. I have been a colleague and friend of Dennis' for more than twenty five years. I had the privilege of working with Dennis during his time at both the Department's of Health and Community Service . Also for several years in his volunteer leadership role with the Canadian Red Cross. I will always remember Dennis for his kindness, compassion for others, professionalism , sense of humor but most importantly his love of family. While Dennis will be sadly missed may the family find some comfort in knowing that he has made a real difference in the lives of many people. My thoughts and prayers are with the family at this most difficult time.

I am deeply grateful to have known Dennis through the Health Law Institute at Dalhousie.  He was a wonderful, caring person who will be deeply missed by all.
My sincere condolences to the family.

I am very sorry to read of Dennis' death. We were classmates at Saint Agnes and Saint Patrick's and both of us went on to legal careers. I enjoyed our chance encounters over the years and have fond memories of Dennis.
Condolences to the Holland family.

David Almon

I was deeply saddened to hear of Dennis' passing. I knew him through his work with the Dept of Health...he was always  thoughtful and considerate. My condolences to Dennis' family.

Brenda, Patrick and Nick; while we have never met, I just want you to know how highly regarded Dennis was amongst the many volunteers and staff within the Canadian Red Cross whose paths he crossed. 

Dennis is and will remain a "class act" no matter where he is. Fondly remembered and sadly missed.

Dennis, your sincerity, consummate professionalism, wit and integrity made you a rare man. You will be missed. My condolences to your family.

I had the good fortune to meet Dennis and work with him briefly on a project at Red Cross. Dennis was such a gentleman - kind and generous. He picked up our team at the hotel every morning to bring us to the office to make sure we did not need a cab. I will remember his eternal optimism and professionalism. I am lucky to have met him and wish his family sincere condolences.

Patrick, Jessica 
Our sincerest condolences on the passing of your Dad. Thinking of you and your family.

Mike & Gwen Williams

Condolences to Dennis' family. For many years Dennis was a leader, a colleague and a friend for us at Dalhousie's Health Law Institute.  He had vision, integrity and common sense, coupled with generosity and personal warmth.  We will miss him greatly.

My sincere condolences to Dennis' family.  Having been on the Red Cross Advisory Committee with Dennis was a pleasure and an honor.  He will be missed.     Janine Muise, Yarmouth, NS.

Our sincere condolences at this most difficult time.

My deepest condolences to Dennis' family. Dennis brought a lot of joy into the world and I enjoyed working with him.  He was always available for a good chat and laugh.  He will be greatly missed by many.

Dearest Brenda, I can't express enough my sadness in learning of Dennis' passing. Dennis was one of the nicest people I have met and worked with.  His patience, knowledge, sense of humor are only a few words of many to describe Dennis.  The Red Cross is a better place because of Dennis.  My thoughts and prayers are with you.  I hope you will find some peace in the coming weeks and please take care of yourself.

I had nothing but respect and admiration for this man.  Dennis, you were definitely one of the good guys!

My sincerest condolences.  I consider it to have been an absolute privilege to have worked with Dennis at the Canadian Red Cross.  His kind and gentle way was always present while often asking a thought provoking question.  I so enjoyed hearing about his experiences and stories which always brought out that wonderful laugh that I will never forget.

I am so sorry to hear of your loss.  It was such a pleasure to work with Dennis on the Protection for Persons in Care Act (launch and video) and again more recently in my role as a volunteer at the Canadian Red Cross. Dennis will be remembered as a kind, intelligent, hard working man who made a difference.

I'm so sorry to hear of your loss. I worked with Dennis at CRNNS for a short period of time and I will always remember him as being a warm, kind and gentle soul. 
Shelly

My deepest sympathy to the Holland family. I knew Dennis is Law School, and had the opportunity to work with him in Government and the private sector. He was the "finest kind"! Barb Jones Gordon

Dear Brenda and Family,
I am so sorry to hear this tragic news. Dennis was a great friend and wonderful colleague.  I always enjoyed his great sense of humour and common sense approach to things.  My thoughs and prayers are with you and your family during this very sad time.

Over the years I used to bump into Dennis in downtown Halifax. He was always so cordial...a real gentleman. Brenda, I am so sorry for your loss.

My deepest condolences. I knew Dennis through volunteering with the Canadian Red Cross. He was wonderfully patient and kind. I am very sorry for your loss.

Dear Brenda, Patrick, Nicholas, and family:  I was privileged to know Dennis for nearly 17 years through the Canadian Red Cross  as a volunteer, colleague, and friend.  During that time, I developed a great admiration for his thoughtful counsel, positive approach, and humanitarian spirit; which has shaped who we are today in serving the most vulnerable.  He was always kind; and I will always remember him for that.  He will be missed dearly.  Please accept my heartfelt condolences.

My sincerest condolences to all of Dennis's family.  I worked with Dennis several years ago and he was, without a doubt, a man of integrity, vision and a wonderful colleague. 

Peace and light,
Laura Nichols

So very sad to hear of Dennis' passing.  A wonderful man to work with, so kind and supportive.  Hugs to Brenda and family.

With deepest sympathy on Dennis' passing. He was such a gentle man and a bright light. He will be missed.

OBITUARY

Dennis Patrick Holland

14 September, 1953 – 29 April, 2016

JA Snow Funeral Home

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