Denis J. Lacey

Denis J. Lacey, 67, passed away at Geneva General Hospital on Tuesday, March 17, 2015.

Family and friends are invited to attend a Celebration of Denis’s Life on Sunday, March 22, 2015 from 2:00-4:00pm at the Townsend-Wood Funeral Chapel, 201 E. Elm St., Penn Yan, NY.

Denis was born in Gourock, Scotland on December 11, 1947. He emigrated with his family to Wawa, Canada when he was 11 years old. After graduating from high school, Denis married and had his first two children, Neal and Erin. Later in life, Denis met his wife Karen while on vacation in Barbados. It was love at first sight and Karen and Denis were married a few months later. They had two children, Caitlin and Kyle.

Denis loved to travel and made friends everywhere he went, even if they didn’t speak the same language. No one remained a stranger as Denis had the ability to chat with anyone about anything whether risqué, politically correct or not. His fun and laughter brought people together whether they were young or old. His work as an employee of Canadian Airlines and later work as a corporate Travel Agent allowed him and his family to travel to many distant places over the years. Denis lived a full adventurous life and had an overwhelming amount of stories that his family will forever cherish in his memory.

Denis was also a volunteer at Ontario-Yates Hospice; this allowed him to pass his jokes, laughter and stories to many in the local community. His outgoing personality, generosity, outlandish sense of humor and ability to make one smile will be greatly missed by his family, friends and community. One of Denis’ greatest accomplishment in life are his four children and his granddaughter Fiamma, all of whom he adored. Denis was always the life of the party. Although born in Scotland, both Denis’s parents were born in Ireland and fittingly, he passed to his next destination on St. Patrick’s Day. Denis’s family and friends will forever celebrate his life and treasure the memories they have made with him.

He is survived by his wife of 30 years, Karen Anne (Matthews) Lacey; son, Neal (Melanie) of Sault Ste. Marie, Canada, daughter, Erin (Massimiliano) Landi and their daughter, Fiamma of Toronto, Canada; daughter, Caitlin Lacey of Ithaca, NY, and son, Kyle Lacey of Penn Yan, NY; sisters, Catherine (Brian) Fisher of Kanata, Canada, Noreen (Heinz) Fellinger of Wawa, Canada; brother in law, Michael Laude of Hanmer, Canada. Denis was predeceased by his parents, James and Jeanette Lacey; brother, Jim Lacey; sister, Sharon (Lacey) Laude.

Family and friends may sign the guestbook at www.townsendwoodfuneralchapel.com