Arthur Armstrong Denny III, a 58 year resident of Ventura County, passed away peacefully in Ojai at Providence Hospital on Monday, June 11th 2018 at the age of 86. Born in Seattle, WA on May 21, 1932, Art was a direct descendent of Arthur Armstrong Denny, leader of the pioneer party from Illinois who founded the city of Seattle in 1851. Art graduated from the University of Washington with a degree in Mechanical Engineering.
Art moved to Southern California where he met his first wife Peggy. They were married on May 10th 1958 at Vandenburg Air Force Base Chapel, and took up residence in Twentynine Palms, before moving
to Oxnard and then Camarillo where they stayed and raised five children from 1965 until 2000.
Art took a civil service position with the UNREP (Underway Replenishment) Department of the Navy in Port Hueneme where he worked as an engineer for over 30 years. He had two patents in his name and traveled all over the world supporting and improving the UNREP systems of the nation’s Naval fleet. Art was dedicated to his work and instilled a strong work ethic in all of his children through his example. He loved horses and in his early years was an accomplished cowboy and horseman, competing in roping competitions in WA and Southern CA.
Art enjoyed playing the piano and listening to both country and classical music. He dabbled in leather work and was an expert woodworker putting his inventive mind and skilled hands to work designing and building custom furniture, tools and other pieces. He was also a great cook and made amazing sourdough bread. Over the years he taught his children, grandsons, and some neighbors pieces of his craft. He was the go-to resource for figuring out a better gadget or improving a design.
After the passing of his first wife, Art married Stella Marin in 2001 and they lived in Oak View where he continued his woodworking until his later years, and spent time with his children and grandchildren between trips with Stella. Art courageously weathered many painful health issues with a stubborn resolve, determination and of course a sense of humor.
Art was an honest, intelligent, somewhat quiet man with a quick wit and great comedic timing when he did choose to chime in, which happened more often as he got older. While sometimes portraying the typical grit of his era, he had a soft side that would shine through in his eyes when he held his granddaughters or told stories of his kids. He will remain in our hearts and in our thoughts as Dad, Father-in-law, Grandpa, Great Grandpa... and a good guy.
Art was preceded in death by his sons Michael, and Thomas, his wife of 42 years Peggy, and his brother- in-law Tom Merritt. He is survived by his second wife of 17 years, Stella Marin-Denny and her family.
Arthur will be missed by his son, Arthur Joseph and wife Robbie; daughter Mary Hall and husband Dean; son Dave and wife Emily; daughter-in-law Cindy; granddaughter Kristine Marsh and husband Jason; granddaughter Sarah; grandsons Grant, Thomas and Christopher; granddaughters Katie and Meagan, great granddaughter Lilly, sister-in-law Rose Bellina; niece Carmela Cannistraci and family; and
nephews, Lorenzo, Charles, and Joseph Cannistraci and their families.
His children wish to express their special appreciation and thanks for the dedicated efforts of the staff at Community Memorial Hospital in Ventura, as well as the gentle care and sincere concern shown by all at
Providence Hospital in Ojai.
Family and friends are invited to a visitation at Joseph Reardon Funeral Home, 757 E. Main St. Ventura from 2:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. on Thursday, June 21st. A funeral mass will be celebrated at St. Joseph's
Chapel, (Health & Retirement Center Campus) 2464 E. Ojai Ave, Ojai at 12:00 noon on Friday, June 22nd. He will be laid to rest at Conejo Mountain Memorial Park, Howard Rd in Camarillo at 3:00 pm.
In lieu of flowers, his family requests that donations be made to Saint Joseph Health & Retirement Center, 2464 E. Ojai Ave, Ojai in the name of Arthur A. Denny III.