Gene Dennis

Born Jacob Titlebaum, Gene Dennis grew up in Dorchester, MA the youngest of four children. As a 7 year old he performed on the violin at Symphony Hall setting the stage for a career in music that in later years would lead to his formation of the Gene Dennis Orchestra. Upon graduation from Roxbury Memorial High School, his big band traveled throughout New England and became a local favorite entertaining at area night clubs including the Coconut Grove, proms and college events. During WWII Mr. Dennis served in the army as a band leader and conductor of shows. In 1946 he resumed his career as the entertainment and musical director at the Berkshire Country Club in Wingdale, NY. where for the next 21 summers he wrote comedy skits and monologues for future stars Norm Crosby and Frank Fontaine. In 1949 Mr. Dennis partnered with Carl Donovan and opened Newbury Street based Dennis and Donovan Travel. At the time, his office was among a handful of travel agencies in the entire country. In 1967 he escorted his first of 75 trips to Israel and in the ensuing years shared the love of travel with some 3000 area Bostonians. Over the course of his 50 year career in Travel, Mr. Dennis escorted groups to the Far East, Africa and throughout Europe. Throughout this period, Mr. Dennis was active in the Newton community where he resided for over 50 years writing shows for area schools and synagogues.

Mr. Dennis is survived by his wife of 57 years, Rosalie Hyman Dennis, his daughter Betsy Coval and son-in-law Robert Coval of Canton, his son Joel Dennis and daughter-in-law Eve Dennisof Stoughton and 5 grandchildren, Douglas and Tracy Coval and Justin, Tyler and Spencer Dennis. Mr. Dennis was the brother of the late Manuel Taylor of Newton, the late Selda Dine of Great Neck NY and the late Annette Leeds of Forest Hills, NY

Service at Levine Chapel, 470 Harvard St., Brookline on Monday, June 25 at 1:00 pm. Burial at Sharon Memorial Park, 41 Dedham St., Sharon. Following the burial, memorial observance will be at the home of Betsy & Robert Coval until 8pm, continuing on Tuesday & Wednesday from 2-4pm and 7-9pm. In lieu of flowers, remembrances may be made to the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society, 9 Erie Drive, Suite 101, Natick, MA 01760 or a charity of one’s choice.