Denis Chaves

Denis was born on January 16, 1940 in Abobeleira, Portugal, the first son of Ilidio Chaves and Isaura Pereira Chaves. He graduated from the prestigious University of Salamanca and entered the Portuguese Army, where he was stationed in Mozambique. He immigrated to the United States in his early 30’s and obtained his citizenship. He began employment with Avco Corporation in Stratford, CT as a union technician, where he was touted as “a well-informed, truly cultured and urbane, classically educated European”, as well as “the arbiter of choice among his co-workers”, and ended as a VP/General Manager of the Advanced Products division at Mechanical Technology Incorporated in Latham, NY. He was an avid traveler and spent time in over 60 countries during his lifetime. He was a devoted father who loved his children and grandchildren fiercely. His hobbies included tennis, cooking, and gardening. His rose garden was the envy of the neighborhood; when asked how they grew so beautifully, his candid response was, “You need to talk to them.” He had a wonderful sense of humor, was an amazing storyteller, a prolific painter, and an accomplished author. Denis never met a stranger and was loved by all who knew him. He was raised Catholic and while not a member of a local church, continued to pray daily.

He is survived by his children, Richard and Kristina (Tourville), and three adored grandchildren, Ethan, Olivia, and Liam; brother Ilidio, and sister Fatima (Teixeira).

The family will host an intimate gathering and reception on Friday, September 19, 2025 from ten o’clock in the morning to twelve o’clock in the afternoon at White Funeral and Cremation Services, 3660 Express Drive, Shallotte, NC, and welcome all to attend. No formal service will be held.

Donations may be made in his memory to the North Carolina Coastal Federation at https://www.nccoast.org.

Online condolences may be made at www.shallottefunerals.com.

White Funeral and Cremation Service, Shallotte Chapel