Dr. Michael William Dennis

Michael William Dennis, M.D., 81, of Haymarket, Virginia, left us peacefully on January 26,2025 surrounded by friends and family. A beloved husband, father, and grandfather, Michael will always be remembered for his generosity and willingness to help those in need.

Born June 13, 1943, in Poughkeepsie New York, Michael grew up with his two brothers, Ronald and William, to Rita and Harold Dennis. Michael was always an athlete, competitive in sports as well as chess and debate and loved to ice skate at the civic center in Poughkeepsie.

Michael was full of ambition and after graduating from high school he headed to Providence Rhode Island to attend Brown University where he received his Bachelor of Science, Pre-Med, graduating Cum Laude. He was a man of intellect and action; he continued to hone his skills in debate and competing in crew and football.

After his undergrad, Michael returned home to marry his high school sweetheart, Judith Ann McFadden, and swept her away to Niagara Falls for a romantic, however snowy and cold, honeymoon. With no delay, Michael and Judy moved to New Haven Connecticut where Michael enrolled at Yale to earn his Doctorate. Michael and Judy made ends meet by working at the Cheshire Academy School for Boys, acting as house mother and father. Michael quickly gained a reputation as someone you could depend on to help you with your homework, take you on a hike and go to football games. Never a slouch, Michael offset this income, building houses and pools.

Michael and Judy raised three beautiful children, Julianne, Katherine and Jeffrey in McLean Virginia, where he began his medical practice at George Washington University. Michael became a highly respected and sought-out neurosurgeon, providing life saving service during a volatile time in Washington DC. While in private practice, Michael was one of the surgeons who operated on Thomas Delahanty, part of the service detail For Ronald Reagan during his assassination attempt, performing a complex and delicate procedure, to remove an exploding bullet, (which exploded after removal).

Michael and Judy have always been avid travelers, visiting every country in the world at least once. In their spare time, he and Judy volunteered as public health workers through the Earth Watch program, providing medical care to local communities in Ghana, Bolivia, Poland, Russia, and Zimbabwe.

After retiring from private practice Michael never slowed down. Intellectually hungry, he enrolled in George Mason University and received his MBA. He went on to be a consultant to corporations and was an Expert Medical Witness for numerous cases. He was a frequent lecturer and involved in the Lifelong Learning Program sponsored by Northern Virginia Community College.

He was very active in his local community, lecturing, conducting physical fitness classes, Founder of Photography Club, Founder and President of Regency Education Club, and President of the Travel Club. Everyone knew they could pick up the phone, whenever they were in need, and have a trusted friend and confidante in Michael.

Michael is survived by his wife Judy Dennis, and three children, Julianne, Katherine, and Jeffrey, along with five grandchildren.

A service to celebrate Michael’s life will be held at Regency at Dominion Valley, Haymarket, Virginia, February 1, 12:00 – 3:00 PM. All are welcome. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Canine Companions, a charity close to Michael’s heart.