DENTE, Gerald (Jerry) 88, of Wellesley, died on January 9, 2019. He leaves his bride of 65 years, Mrs. Barbara (Turco) Dente; his daughter, Ms. Denise Dente; son, Mr. Gerald Dente, Jr. and daughter-in-law, Mrs. Joyce Dente of Framingham; and son, Dr. Mark Dente and daughter-in-law, Mrs. Beth Petrone-Dente of Wellesley. He was also the loving grandfather of JJ, Kristopher, Samantha, Daniel, Becka, and Brittany, and great-grandfather to Thomas and Wyatt.
Mr. Dente spent most of his career in the insurance industry, where he had a talent for hiring and mentoring staff into successful professionals serving their communities. Mr. Dente, at the age of 18, was honored by his hometown of Medford for saving the lives of two brothers (ages 10 & 8) from drowning in his summer job as a life guard. He attended Tufts University, where he played varsity football. He then served our nation during the Korean War in the Army’s 83rd Airborne Division, where he attained the position of Sargent and jumpmaster as a paratrooper. Both he and Barbara dedicated their lives to their family and to the care and devotion of their special-needs daughter. Much of his professional career was spent in upstate New York before he returned to his native Massachusetts. He later spent several retirement years in Austin, TX, which he loved. He was active in the Wellesley Senior Center and was devoted to improving the lives of people with developmental disabilities. A gregarious, warm-hearted man who was devoted to his family, Mr. Dente will be sorely missed by all who knew and loved him.
Visiting hours at the George F. Doherty & Sons Funeral Home, 477 Washington St., (Rt.16) WELLESLEY, Saturday, Jan. 12 from 9:45-11:45am followed by a funeral service in the funeral home at 12:00pm. Relatives and friends kindly invited. Interment private. In lieu of flowers donations may be made to Charles River Center, 59E Militia Heights Drive, Needham, MA 02492. https://www.charlesrivercenter.org/.
The Charles River Center is a day and residences program for adults with developmental disabilities which supports Mr. Dente’s daughter, Denise.