Events
Visitation
Larkin Sunset Lawn: 2350 East 1300 South, Salt Lake City, UTTuesday Dec 3, 2024 6:00 PM - 8:00 PM
Salt Lake City, UT – Our DLB left this world peacefully and with dignity on November 15, 2024 surrounded by his family at the University of Utah Hospital.
Dennis was born on Sept. 4, 1945, at the Roseland Community Hospital on the South Side of Chicago to Elio Brunetti and Anita Lucadello. He was reared with his sister Rinagaye in a proud Italian-American neighborhood where family, baseball, good food, and a fair amount of mischief were prized. He was especially close to his Uncle Tony Lucadello and Aunt Elda Brunetti.
Dennis graduated from Mendel Boys Catholic High School and was soon drafted into the Army, serving in Vietnam as a communications specialist and radio operator. Upon his return, he joined the Chicago Police Department and was the owner of a tavern with his family, The Drift Inn, before meeting his wife, Joanne. Dennis & Joanne were married in 1975 at St. Barnabas and they started their new life with an adventure West, hitching their pop-up camper to the powder-blue LUV truck, ultimately settling in Salt Lake City. It was here they started a family, learned to ski, camp, and sail, all the while making new friends and taking in the beauty of Utah. Dennis loved Joanne! He was her protector –her first and only love.
His greatest success in life was being a husband and father. He loved being a dad to Nick and was so proud of the man he became. Dennis “adopted” many kids in his life who brought him so much joy & gave him an opportunity to mentor. His nieces Emily, Jackie, nephew Matthew, family friends Stacy, Bryan, Vanessa, Tara and Grace, to mention a few, were bright spots.
Dennis also had a very special relationship with his sister-in-law, Diane. She could always count on his love and stability. He was delighted when Diane married Dennis, his stellar brother-in-law affectionately known as ‘Dennis the Younger’. Together Dennis, Joanne, Nick & Diane traveled & made many beautiful memories in Europe especially with his family in Gualdo Tadino and Milan, Italy. He was so proud of our extended Italian heritage consisting of the Allegrucci, Mammoli, Monacelli and Colombo families.
Throughout his life, he had many professional accomplishments and was very adept at sales and owning his own business. For over 40 years, he honed his craft as a building inspector and premise liability expert. He enjoyed learning from lawyers and was a self-described building code junkie. His outgoing personality, attention to detail, continuous learning and research skills attributed to his success. He particularly advocated for plaintiff’s work, supporting those most at risk or injured.
Anyone who got to know Dennis knew he was a character. He acquired many nicknames (Buddy Boy, Jack LaLanne, Mr. Hollywood, Shane) but also cleverly assigned them to those he loved most. Dennis was a self-taught man who had many interests and passions. In High School, he caddied at a country club in Chicago, quickly picked up the sport and was an avid golfer throughout his life. On the Great Salt Lake of all places, he was introduced to sailing & was hooked! He bought a boat and taught Joanne, Nick, and many friends the joy of being ‘powered by the wind’. He loved the coastal ocean waters off Northern California best. Tennis, biking, yoga, and eating well gave him the quality of life he so enjoyed.
Dennis was community-minded and never hesitated to reach out and lend a hand. He survived Stage 3 colon cancer in 2000 giving him a second chance in life. He became a chaplain at Primary Children’s Hospital where he learned the true meaning of compassion for those less fortunate.
Our deepest gratitude to the team of Doctors, Nurses, CNAs, and Chaplains at the University of Utah Intensive Care Neuro Unit along with the outstanding Palliative and Hospice team who lovingly guided Dennis, his family and close friends through the end of his life. We will never forget you.
A visitation will be held on Tuesday, Dec. 3rd from 6-8 pm at Larkin Sunset Lawn located at 2350 East 1300 South, Salt Lake City. A private graveside service will be held at 11:30 a.m. on Wednesday, Dec. 4th.
In lieu of flowers, please donate to the Red Cross, Special Olympics or The Utah Food Bank, charities close to Dennis’ heart.
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Guestbook/Condolences
Our heartfelt condolences to Joanne, Nick, and all of Dennis’ family.. He loved his family and in turn was loved by them. He lived life to the fullest and yet had a lot of life left to live. We know those closest to him will have those great memories to help get through this difficult time.
I was so sorry to hear the news of Dennis. A truly great guy! In my last 16 years living in Chicago I have gotten a chuckle occasionally thinking of you and Dennis, “true Chicagoans”, packing up all those years ago and leaving for the wilds of Salt Lake. You and Nick are in my thoughts. Quincy
Joanne and family;
I heard from Byron about Dennis’s sudden illness and his passing. I am sorry that you have to go through this ordeal and suffer the anguish of the death of the love of your life. I feel that the emotions we all perceive when people close to us die is the remembrances of the wonderful things that we enjoyed with that person. It’s overwhelming, but at time goes by, that emotion now makes me smile in the comfort of having had such a loving partner. I wish you and your family well during this difficult time.
Scott Petersen
Phoenix, Arizona
Jo Ann.
So very sorry for your loss. Dennis and I became close friends during his inspection days. Dennis was a great guy and we had a lot of fun during those days. He will be missed. I hadn’t seen you guys walking down in Holiday recently. This is my 5 th winter in St George without my wife Kathy.
Challenging times. Tell Nick Hi and much love your way. Jeff Wells 🙏❤️
Mom Brunetti,
I only met Dennis a few times- but he always had a smile and such a warm greeting. You both created such a welcoming and loving energy about you two and your home.
I’m so sorry and thinking about you and Nick right now.
Love,
Lindsay
Grace and the Brunetti family,
We are saddened to hear of Dennis’s passing. I had the privilege of getting to know him over the years at the golf course, and met Grace this year. He is a great man and a wonderful human being. I had a lot of fun with him at Vets on course tournaments and great conversations in the shop. He will be missed by all of us at the course. Deepest condolences.
To Joanne, Nicholas Diane, Dennis? I am so so sorry for your loss. There are no words that can describe the pain. Just know you are in my prayers and that Dennis went home to his father in heaven where he will be at rest
I worked with Dennis on many a case and remember his love of building code very well. He pro bono inspected the first home I bought a couple decades ago, which gave me courage to pull the trigger and make one of the best decisions of my life. I will never forget this generous act for which I continue to be deeply grateful.
Joanne and Nick,
I met Dennis on the golf course several years ago. I joined him and a couple of his friends. At the end of the round he told me he enjoyed playing with me and we exchanged numbers. From there on we played a couple times a week. He was a great man and was fun to be around. I'll miss his humor and his company.
May God bless you and Nick and give you peace and comfort during this difficult time.
Dan Lemke
Joanne:
I never met Dennis but knowing you, he was a great guy. I lost track of you but have never stopped thinking about you. I am so very sorry for your loss. I can only imagine how lost this has left you. May your grief be turned to warm memories of the time and love you shared with Dennis.
Rickie
It was always such a treat to see Dennis annually (and sometimes even more when we got lucky!). His humor and warmth were infectious and his stories, wow, awesome stories about his youth, when he and Joanne met, their travels and working with their son Nick on their house remodel were some of the many engaging topics. We loved Dennis and know the light he shed on many will be missed. We are so grateful to have had him as our friend. Thank you Dennis, Mike and Andrea
We are so sorry for your loss 💕
Sending you lots of love and support .
Please let us know if there is anything we can do for you …
Xoxox
Joanne.
Many years after meeting you as you made such a positive impact on our dear Lindsay, I met Dennis when he was working with Renegade Oil.
He was very professional, open minded and calm.
We share your loss and our gratitude for the impact for good the Brunetti's have on the Mike and Kathy Redd family.
We love you.
From Mike, Kathy and Lindsay.
In the short time that I knew Dennis, I could tell he was a special man. It was a honor to be a part of his care at the University of Utah. He will be deeply missed.
I am so sorry to hear that Dennis passed away. I can’t imagine the pain of his loss at this time. There will be a very large hole in your hearts for a long time. Please know that caring thoughts are being sent your way at this time.
We were saddened by the loss of our friend, Dennis Brunetti. We offer our deepest condolences to Joanne, Nick and family. We are also offering are prayers of comfort and healing during this difficult time. May Dennis rest in eternal peace.
Joanne and Nick, please accept our sincere condolences on Denny's passing. He was my big brother I never had and my idol. To his Utah family and friends, I had the pleasure of growing up 3 doors down from Denny and was grateful that he acknowledged me being 10 years younger. In Cub Scouts our neighborhood group wrote to him and his fellow soldiers when he was in Viet Nam. When he returned and became a Chicago Police Officer his star raised even higher. Among the firsts I experienced with him were my first time sleeping in a camper, in his driveway of course. He taught me to drive both one of his Chevys with a manual transmission on the column and his LUV with the stick on the floor. He let me hang around when he was working on 1 of his cool cars and took me for my first ride on a motorcycle with him. I was honored when he asked me to stand up in his wedding, and later to be Nick's Godfather. Later, when visiting SLC he and Joanne took me skiing and we had an absolutely fantastic time. Even though Karen had never met Denny, she was extremely upset to hear of his passing, knowing how important he was in my life. Rest easy Brother, thanks for everything. You will never be forgotten.
PS: I truly believe it was his influence that led me to a career on the CPD!
Jim & Karen Mitidiero
Dyer, IN
It’s been a long time since I’ve seen Dennis, but I remember you both fondly. You were both very kind to me and still remember coming to visit in SLC with Jack, and attending your wedding. A lovely couple. I’m so sorry, Joanne, may his memory be a blessing to you and Nick
Dear Joanna, Dear Nick, and everyone else in Dennis’ family : There are no words to express and remember the lovely and valuable lessons we have been taught on every single moment we spent together, wherever we were, anywhere : really any place. The regret is not having met each other earlier, but the lessons of love, humor, passion for life, devotion to family & friends, have always been so dear and precious that will last, expand and renew – for sure - for our entire life.
We are assured He is now protecting all of us : we really love You All !
Joanne:
All our love to you.
Hard to imagine no more Dennis.
No more Shane, no more the problem is always “the slope”, no more Per Noi., no more rides to the airport, no more embarrassing you with egging him on to sing.
Words & tears are not enough.
We are always ready to help & have FUN with you.
See you soon.
Bob & Mary Gilchrist
Dear Joanne,
I’m so sorry for your loss. My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family.
Your Forever Student,
Pablo Sagastume (AKA Paul)
Dilworth Elementary, 1995
I just learned of Dennis’s passing, and I am deeply saddened. Dennis was truly a wonderful human being. Every time I saw him, he carried a positive energy that touched everyone around him. He will be remembered with warmth and respect. I’m going to miss him so much.