Dennis Michael Hoban

Dennis “Denny” Michael Hoban went to be with the Lord on March 30, 2020. He was born on March 31, 1941 in Chicago, Illinois to John and Catherine Hoban. Denny graduated from Gage Park High School, Chicago, and in later years earned a Bachelor of Science Degree from the University of Chicago.

Denny had a robust and happy life in his later years, but lamented on the many struggles of life on the south side of Chicago in the 1940s and 1950s. By the 1960s, Denny spent his weekends drag racing with his buddies, and working on cars as a certified mechanic for Chevrolet and GMC, and later on his own business. Race cars, muscle cars, and Harleys were what was happening.

He was a motivator, mentor, and all around nice guy. When industries changed, that didn’t stop him, he would research and reinvent himself. When auto mechanics became more and more computerized, he restored muscle cars. He was a mortgage broker, hearing aid specialist, and small business owner. He loved motorcycles and had a beautiful Harley Davidson Screaming Eagle. He went to work as a test driver for Paradise Harley Davidson in Tigard, Oregon.

Denny was a fabulous cook. He started a cart business named “Denny’s Diner” and made Chicago-style roast beef sandwiches. Linda always said Denny was not a cook or a chef, but an artist. He compiled a cookbook of his favorite recipes. He made all kinds of soup in his huge pressure cooker, and provided soup lovingly to family and friends.

Denny and Linda had 16 wonderful years together with memories to last forever. They were married in the sun room of their home. They went to the drag races in Seattle and got to meet their hero, John Force. They went to Sturgis one summer with their Harley and their Sunny bunny, the feisty 6 pound Pomeranian. They took a road trip to Montana to meet Linda’s cousins, and visited Flathead Lake. As the years flew by, they would take trips to their favorite coastal town, Lincoln City. Denny didn’t really “get” the beach experience and he would say the ocean looked the same as last time, but he would go and always came home completely relaxed. Denny also loved his home and would rather be there than really anywhere.

Denny is survived by his loving wife, Linda, stepdaughter Jennifer O’Neil, grandchildren, and children Daniel and Kathleen, and grandchildren, and dear friends Bob and Kim Brewer, and Sunny, the spoiled Pomeranian.

Private burial arrangements by Lincoln Memorial. There will be a celebration of Denny’s life later this summer after the world returns to normal.