Dennis A. McCormack

July 16, 2018

Dennis McCormack was finally vanquished by cancer Monday, July 16, 2018. He died, too soon, after a five year battle, during which he demonstrated all the qualities that made him so loved, by so many. Dennis Anthony McCormack was born November 19, 1951 in Hartford, and raised in East Hartford by his parents, Edward and Margaret (Rempe) McCormack. He is survived by his wife, Magda Regina Souza, his son, Michael and his wife, Selalah, as well as his sisters, Kathee McCormack, and her husband, Barry Cheslin, and his younger sister Patricia (Tia) McCormack and her wife, Kathy Anselmo. His eldest sister, Carolyn McCormack Ciagio predeceased him in 2016. Dennis was a man of many accomplishments. He graduated East Catholic High School in 1969, the College of the Holy Cross in 1973, and the University of Connecticut School of Law in 1976. He was an Eagle Scout, and was inducted into the Northwest Catholic High School Hall of Fame as a Coach, and the East Catholic High School Hall of Fame as an outstanding Alumnus. He completed 53 consecutive Manchester Road Races, once finishing as high as 4th Place, and was inducted into the Manchester Connecticut Athletic Hall of Fame as an elite runner. As a young man, he rode his bicycle from Maine to California, riding into the prevailing winds for the extra workout. Dennis was not defined by his accomplishments, but, they are emblematic of his strength of will, much of which was displayed in his career as a runner, and which again manifested itself in his struggle with cancer. He was a great runner who fought his last foe as he would an opponent in a race; endure the pain, push on and sprint ahead when it appears that you have nothing left. Just as he was a mentor and coach to many runners at Northwest Catholic and the University of Hartford, he also gave of himself by participating in numerous cancer trials, not simply in hopes of extending his own life, but in the belief that his efforts would be of benefit to those that followed. Dennis was a life long entrepreneur, starting with his college era painting company with his good friend John Quinn. He practiced law for more than 40 years, hanging his shingle in Windsor, before ending his career of counsel with Quinn & Quinn in Hartford. As with his running, much of the work was done alone, and there was nothing that he would not take on, always delivering for his clients. Although he knew the value of money, he was always generous with his spirit, his time, and his resources. He was a role model to many, and a significant benefactor to his high school alma mater. He was a family man, but he also enjoyed his time with his buddies. The many years of Thursday evening runs were gradually replaced by golf, which included an annual trip to Myrtle Beach. Being the good lawyer that he was, he always knew that the rules of golf were subject to interpretation, and he had an amazing knack of always finding his ball. He was a good husband, father, brother, uncle, friend, coach and mentor. He will be missed by many, but never forgotten. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations can be made payable to East Catholic High School, 115 New State Road, Manchester, CT 06042 where a scholarship will be established in his memory. He will be waked at Molloy Funeral Home, 906 Farmington Avenue, West Hartford on Wednesday, July 18, 2018 from 4-7pm. A funeral Mass will be celebrated at Holy Trinity, Capitol Avenue, Hartford. on Thursday at 10:00 am. Online expressions of sympathy may be made at www.molloyfuneralhome.com