Denis J. Spillane of Rye, NY, passed away on Friday, April 24, 2020. Denis was born in Knockaharrin, Co. Kerry, Ireland, the oldest of nine children born to Denis and Mary Ann Spillane. In 1950, he emigrated to New York where he met and married the love of his life, Mary Sullivan, who predeceased him in 2019. They were married in St. Patrick’s Cathedral on October 11, 1952. They had two children, Dennis K. Spillane (Helen) and Brian D. Spillane (Carol) and two grandchildren, Katherine and Kevin. Both of their sons are attorneys and university professors. Their grandson is a financial analyst and their granddaughter is a hedge fund accountant.
Denis was always family oriented both to his immediate family and to his many nephews and nieces who also emigrated from Ireland. He was “Uncle Denny” to his Irish family and “Papa” to his immediate family. He was there for whatever all of them needed. He was an avid student of stock investment and the politics of his adopted country of which he was very proud. He also was a sports fan. He never missed seeing an All-Ireland football final, especially if Kerry was playing and he also was a very loyal fan of the New York Mets. He learned American baseball by listening to the New York radio broadcasters of the 1950s and could still recite the starting lineups of the then three New York baseball teams decades later.
All in all, he was a magnificent man and will be sorely missed by his family.
Funeral services were private due to the current health crisis.
In lieu of flowers, please make a donation to your favorite charity.
Arrangements by Pizzi Funeral Home, Northvale, NJ.
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