Dennis C. Toomey
Dennis C. Toomey, of Revere passed away on February 6. He was born in Chelsea and grew up in Revere. He attended Immaculate Conception Grammar school, Revere High school, and Staley College. After college, he became a buyer for Jordan Marsh in Boston, and later moved to New York City, where he became a successful businessman for major department stores.Dennis had an absolute passion for life and love of people. To anyone who met him, he made a lasting impression. He had a truly unique gift of making every person feel special. He always had a million questions, because he cared so very much about others. Rather than talk about himself, he loved to listen to other people’s life stories.Friends have described him as a, “man about town,” who had the ability to connect with people of any age, and he especially loved young people. He was a guiding figure for his adoring nieces and nephews, always lending advice about their lives, hopes and dreams. His nieces and nephews, and grand nieces and nephews, loved to spend time with him, as he was truly, “young at heart,” and related to every one of them, no matter what their age, through every stage of their lives.He loved to travel, lived in Honolulu, New York and New Jersey, and traveled to many places around the world, including his family’s homeland of Ireland. Also of Italian descent, Dennis loved “good food,” and was an amazing cook, a most decadent host, and party planner who made any gathering elegant and truly special.Most important, Dennis was absolutely devoted to his family, moving back to Revere to care for his parents, Margaret and Thomas B. Toomey. He was a giving, loving man to his family and to numerous friends, and he was generous to a fault. Throughout his life he shared a very special bond with his siblings, Katherine, “Kay,” Marilyn and his brother, James “Bobby,” and his six nieces and nephews and several great nieces and nephews.He was deeply committed to his hometown of Revere and worked tirelessly on numerous mayoral campaigns. Dennis also worked as a substitute teacher at Revere’s Seacoast School, where he was beloved by his students who called him, “Mr. T.Dennis was truly unforgettable, unlike anyone most of us will ever have the pleasure of knowing in our lifetimes, a rare human being, taken from us much too soon, and he will be deeply missed by all who loved him.Dennis was the beloved brother, of James “Bobby,” Toomey of Revere and sister, Marilyn Longden and her husband Raymond Longden of Fairfield, CT; the cherished uncle of Christina M. Longden and Sarah Longden Ulc and her husband, Kenneth Ulc of Fairfield, Connecticut, Kathleen Bright-Procopio and her husband, David Procopio of Revere, Paul A. Bright Jr. of Revere, Revere Fire Deputy Chief Christopher Bright and his wife, Mary Bright of Wakefield, and Amy Ciccone and her husband Eric Ciccone of Marblehead. He is also lovingly survived by several great nieces and nephews. Dennis is pre-deceased by his parents, Margaret and Thomas B. Toomey, and his sister, Katherine, “Kay,” Bright and her husband, Paul A. Bright Sr.Family and friends are invited to attend visiting hours on Thursday, February 12th from 4 to 7 p.m. in the Vertuccio & Smith Home for Funerals, 773 Broadway (Route 107) Revere. The interment will be private. In lieu of flowers, remembrances may be made to: North Suffolk Mental Health Association (Conexions), 301 Broadway, Chelsea, MA, (617) 889-4860.
I can’t remember a family function of any sort where Dennis and Bobby weren’t there. Thick as thieves those two were with their loving embraces, caring generosity and love of life and especially their family.
It was always a pleasure and wonderful experience just to sit down with Dennis and talk about anything; But he always started with, “Hey Joey Buddy! how’s it going? How are things with everybody?” and he would listen. Intently, to every word as though it were the first reports of a any news he’d received in years!
The Toomey, Bright, Covino (et al) families lost a Patriarch. Dennis will be sadly missed and fondly remembered.
Thank you for everything Cousin Dennis.
Until we chat again…
Joey Covino
Our deepest sympathy to the Toomey/Bright families at this sad time.We remember having good memories of Dennis all through our lives.May he rest in peace. Love Margie,Ronnie,Barbara,Amanda and Bobby