Well, I have discovered 11 years after the fact that the man who was responsible for saving my eyes and my vision had passed away most untimely. Dr Denis was the most wonderful personality and cheery soul I ever had the privilege to know. Our meeting was brought on by an accident I had in 1976 and from the start he was an encouraging and positive healer and possessed an aura of confidence that would lead one to believe that anything was within his realm of possibility. A man with an unutterably infectious smile, Dr O Day returned me to a seeing world and did so with a true uplifting spirit. I will always be indebted to him for his amazing quality of care and his truckload of heart. He also looked to me like the reincarnation of Errol Flynn, maybe, huh?

A lifetime away we played cricket together at Como Park as I was his parents house guest while mum, Denis' mother first, and dare I say favourite cousin was in the Mercy Hospital East Melbourne expecting a sibling --not just once.I was at Xavier too. I hope Justine Deirdre and Prudence are well and would like them to know I know and have prayed.What a staggeringly marvellous man whom I never saw  since school but am sure will see again

Ann, I was so saddened to hear of your loss. I first met Denis in 1972 soon after i moved here from the UK. Somehow he found out that I had trained at Moorfields Hospital in London, achieving ceriification in opthalmic nursing, and we quickly bonded. Denis facilitated my move from Obstetrics to the eye clinic, and under his mentorship i was able to both educate residents and assist in research efforts. He was a life saver in those early days when i was struggling to adjust to a new and different health care system and the role of nursing in the UK. I have never forgotten him or his kindness. Blessings, Pauline.

I just now found out and I am so sorry Ann. Denis was one of the nicest, fun-loving, person I have ever met. We certainly had some fun back in the day. My memories will always be happy and I know that you have so many to treasure.
My entire family sends sympathy and prayers for the eternal happiness of Denis, and the here on  earth comfort for your family.

Ann and Edward,
Don and I were saddened today when we heard about Denis' death.  Our thoughts and prayers are with you and the boys.

Ann,I'm sorry to hear Denis lost his amazing battle.Bill had the same brain tumor and I know we just lost two dear,dear love's

Dr. O'Day was one of the kindest, most compasionate physicians who ever treated me.  I was most thankful to have been referred to him for SLK. I also had a brain tumor (a meningioma) and wish he could have had that instead of his "killer kind".  He shared so much good with so many.  Heaven awaits.

He made me laugh when I could not see.  Then, he made me see.

I have served as an examiner for the American Board of Ophthalmology and Dr. O'Day always remembered me, encouraged me and said' "Thank you for your service,'" although he only saw me once a year or two.  He was very kind and warm to me.  He knew how to make a person seem special and wanted.  A great mentor.

Denis will always be remembered for his commitment to others whether as a father, physician, educator, administrator or as minister to those less fortunate. 
His ready smile and wry sense of humor always lifted those around him. 
He truly made the world a better place.

Our thoughts and prayers are with Ann and the family.

Dear, Ann,  My prayers got to you and your family.  May the memory of Denis be a blessing.

My wife was a patient of Dr.O'Day's for about 15 years. He and I would pick at each other on UT & Vandy football. I truly feel he & God saved my wife's eye sight.RIP Doc.Michael R. Hooper.

Having Denis as both a Director and Executive Director at the ABO was good for the Board and especially the staff.  He helmed the Board with great knowledge, insights, and ideas, and approached the work with good humor and sometimes a little bit of mischief. Thoughts and prayers are with Ann and the O'Day family.

Denis you were and always will be forever special in our hearts.
Ann thinking of you and the family at this time.

Dear Ann and Family. I was sorry to learn today about Dr. O'Day passing. May God comfort you and family in the days ahead and peace be with all! I came to know Dr. O'Day through the association that the Lions clubs of Tennessee had with him and Vanderbilt in developing the Middle TN Lions Sight Service and helping develop The TN Lions E ye Center at Vanderbilt. This past November the Lions of TLEC were proud to present him with  our first Humanitarian  Award. He will be missed by all!
Billy Pearson
Trustee and Treasurer of TLEC
Lions of TN

My dearest Ann and family, it is with a very heavy heart that I write this.  Our very deepest condolences on your great loss.  Dennis was a very special man who touched an enormous amount of people and you should be proud of him.  At the same time never forget how much he loved and depended on you all. Our prayers and thoughts are with you in this very sad time.

May God bless you and your family in this time of sorrow.

Dear Ann and O'Day family,
Carol and I were so sorry to learn of Denis's death.  He was a wonderful mentor and friend during our time on the ABO and getting to know both of you was one of the best parts of the entire experience.  You are in our thoughts at this sad time.
Tom and Carol

What a wonderful person, He`s
Light always, shineth so Bright, Great physician, friend, he never meet a stranger,Will truly Be Missed

Dear Ann and O'Day family,
 My heart and prayers are with you at this time of sadness. He was such a special and humble person. I worked with him as the only RN in the clinic in 1975-1976. He was a wonderful mentor and friend to me. His light will always shine on. God Be with you.
Fondly,
Debby Booth

DeAnn and Edward,
Your father, Denis gave and served his lifetime for others,how wonderful...So God bless and keep you, 
Lovingly Jo Yancey, Griffin, Ga.

Dr. Denis M. O'Day certainly helped others to "see." He and his lovely wife welcomed were the first to welcome us to church. Dr. O'Day introduced us to continued excellence in vision care, which was a concern upon moving to Nashville.

Given our teachings and faith, there is no doubt that Dr. O'Day's work on earth was a job well done! 

The O'Day family will be in our thoughts and prayers. 
Peace be with you,
Arie, Michael, Sabin, Ana, and Aidan Nettles

Dr. O'Day was my boss and my friend.  Everything written about him is true, he was kind and had a wonderful sense of humor and loved Ann and his boys more than anything.  You have to love that smile.

   What a truly wonderful human being. When we moved from Medical Center East, he gave me his chair from his office. I said I will have something to always remember him.

 But the things I will remember most is his smile, and him telling me that it was a privilege to be my friend. I have to say my friend, the privilege was all mine. Ann you and your family are in my prayers.

   Debbie D. Hall
   Vanderbilt Eye Institute

Edward and DeAnn, we are remembering a charming gentleman.  His fine legacy will be continued by his children and grandchildren.  Our love to you and the family. 
Cliff and Sharon

Dr. O'Day was a bright spirit who radiated love and kindness to everyone who crossed his path.  Even in his last days he modeled how to have dignity and compassion to the end.  His wife Ann was steadfast in her care and courage "til death do us part".  I know how proud Denis was of his whole family who rallied to share a beautiful leave taking.  My condolences and love to all.
Sincerely,
Mary Kowalski

I was a patient for almost 32 years.  He will be greatly missed.

What a great loss!!!  My heart hurts for you the family, for the empty spot in your hearts.  My heart breaks for the patients that never knew Dr. O'day.  I have had many doctors in my life, since I was born with many issues.  Never have I had or do I have any doctor that I hold in the same regard as I did and still do Dr. Dennis O'day.  He never gave up on you when the other doctors did.  He also never lacked compassion.   Even when he had to give you bad news, he gave it with the same aura that always surrounded him.  Somehow his warmth and compassion made the bad news go down a little easier.  He also had the ability to maintain his vast knowledge but yet explain things to his patients in a way that could be easily understood.  There will never be another doctor with the charisma and what felt like love for his patients that Dr. O'day had.  I have missed him since he stopped seeing patients and I have prayed for him since his diagnosis.  I now pray for those closest to him that he loved so much, you his family.  I have no words of comfort to offer you but I know that God above can comfort you as you walk through this valley of the shadow of death.  Lean on Him and let Him carry you under his wings of unconditional love and comfort.  My sympathy and prayers are with you.

I wish that I had gotten to know 'Doc' earlier.  I thoroughly enjoyed working with him.  I will always remember him and your family.  Bless you. 
Luann Landers- Alive Hospice

Dr. O'Day will be missed! He was a wonderful asset to the American Board of Ophthalmology. His family is in my prayers!

OBITUARY

Denis Michael O'Day

December 10, 1935 – September 8, 2012

Marshall-Donnelly-Combs Funeral Home

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