Dennis Wesley Kennedy

Dennis was born in Silver Spring, Maryland, on May 23, 1950, son of Elizabeth and McCormick Kennedy. In 1956 the family moved to Miami where Dennis attended school. He graduated from Southwest Miami High School. He was a political science major at Florida International University receiving his Bachelor of Arts in 1974. Dennis later studied criminal justice at several institutions.

Dennis began his career with the Miami-Dade Police Department, graduating from the police academy in 1975. He worked as a police officer, a high school resource officer and an undercover detective. After several years of police work, Dennis transitioned into Corporate Security with Florida Power and Light. His positions included Supervisor of Security at Hutchinson Island Nuclear Plant, Security Manager of the Southeastern District in Ft. Lauderdale and Security Manager of the Northeastern District in Daytona Beach. He worked for FPL for over 25 years but was forced to give up the career he loved due to his health.

Dennis and Paulette Lorusso married in 1981 in Coral Gables, Florida. They later made Ormond Beach their home for over 28 years. Though this relationship was not permanent, they did have two children, McCormick (Mick) and Angela, who they adored. They remained friends after the divorce and especially enjoyed their grandchildren, James, Greyson, Arden and Emersyn.

Dennis had many roles in life but undoubtedly the role he enjoyed most was being a Dad and Grandad. Despite managing challenging health issues for most of his life, Dennis enjoyed coaching his children's youth teams and rarely missed a game or school event. He later enjoyed watching his grandsons, James and Grey's youth football games. He was delighted in the recent birth of his two granddaughters, Arden and Emersyn.

Dennis enjoyed a good scotch, porterhouse steaks, Star Trek, Eric Clapton and the Beatles. And his life long love affair with the Miami Dolphins was noteworthy. Dennis attended the very first Dolphin game with his Dad in 1966 at the original Orange Bowl. Throughout his life he remained a passionate fan during the Super Bowl years and through some outright miserable seasons.

Dennis is predeceased by his mother and father, Elizabeth and McCormick and his sister Kathleen of Miami, FL. Dennis is survived by his daughter, Angela and her husband David Ellzey, their children, James, Greyson and Arden of Ormond Beach, FL; his son, McCormick Wesley Kennedy II and his wife, Hollee, their daughter, Emersyn of Ormond Beach, FL; his former spouse, Paulette Kennedy of Winter Park, FL; his sister Mo and her husband Richard Lliteras of Palm Coast, FL; as well as loving nieces and nephews and a host of life long friends.

A gathering of family and friends for Dennis will be held Friday, January 13, 2023, from 10:00 AM to 12:00 PM at Volusia Memorial Funeral Home, 548 N Nova Rd, Ormond Beach, Florida. Following the gathering there will be a graveside service at 12:00 PM at Volusia Memorial Funeral Home and Park, 548 N Nova Rd, Ormond Beach, Florida.

Dennis asked in lieu of flowers that you place an irresponsibly large bet on the Dolphins to win the 2024 Super Bowl.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.volusiamemorialfunerals.com for the Kennedy family.