I miss him. He was my friend. He was a man that a man could talk to. About anything. He could talk about cars and motorcycles and equally about your most intimate feelings.

He was a reasonable, intelligent and caring man. He had a great sense of humor and a great laugh. I still hear it.

He was a wise man. There have been times and will continue to be times when I will say to myself, “What would Dennis do”?

One of my favorite Dennis-isms is: “How does that serve you”? Whenever I would speak with him about an issue or a concern he would always help me to look at the problem from a new perspective.

Often he demonstrated trust and courage in our friendship by guiding me to realize that my viewpoint might contribute to the issue. Instead of suggesting what I should do, he posed maddeningly logical and rational questions, patiently leading me to potential solutions.

Dennis and I went through a period, quite a long time ago, where we both faced heartbreak in our marriages. Throughout that challenging time, he consistently offered a non-judgmental and understanding presence, providing a listening ear. My hope is that during that time I was able to reciprocate similar support.

Dennis experienced profound emotions. One of the qualities that set him apart as a great friend was his natural gift for empathy. I always sensed that he would genuinely share in my pain whenever I opened up to him about my concerns.

Dennis also had a zest for life, never more so than when he met Heather. Dennis and Heather evolved into the most remarkable of life partners, with a strong connection based on respect, trust, teamwork, mutual support and love.

I will miss his smile, his thoughtful and caring ways, I will miss his friendship but I will keep him in my heart.

So sorry to hear of Dennis’ passing. It is a real loss to everyone when someone of Dennis’ caliber leaves us too early. It certainly gets you thinking about the past, and the future. Sincere condolences to all friends and family.

Frank & JoAnne (Kathy Blas’ sister) Mitton

Missouri City, Texas

My sympathies to Heather and all of Dennis’ family. Dennis was a true friend in all senses of the word and I will miss him greatly. He was a unique person – honest and caring yet funny and irreverent (he always seemed to manage to get it right); the sort of person everyone should be lucky enough to have in their life. I have lots of wonderful memories and am grateful to have known him.

Hi Heather just heard of Dennis’s passing. I am so sorry to hear about it. Hugs

"Everyone dies but only some really live." From.the movie Braveheart

Denis really lived. RIP.

My deepest sympathy to you Heather, and all Dennis’s family, for your loss. I am so very sorry.

I worked with Dennis for many years. He was a great colleague and became a good friend. Universally respected for his expertise, he was equally valued as a terrific human being. His sense of humour was legendary. Above all, he was a profoundly good person.

Dennis will be greatly missed by very many people.

Drude Rimell.

I am so sad to hear of Dennis’s passing. I have fond memories of family gatherings with the Paul family.

My sincere condolences to Dennis’s family.

Luda Paul (sister-in-law)

I had the pleasure of working with Dennis at Canadian Pacific back when the company first came to Calgary. I remember him as a skilled and talented IT professional who wasn’t afraid of hard work. My sympathies to the family.

My deepest and most sincere thoughts and sympathies are with you at this time. Dennis was an exceptional person and I will always remember him for his organizational skills, handyman & gardening skills and his sense of humor. He will be missed.

To the family, friends, colleagues of Dennis.

My heartfelt sympathies to you all on the recent death of Dennis, where I’m sure it is, and has been a very difficult time of grieving for everyone.

I worked with Dennis at Canadian Pacific, where I think we both started at the same time in the summer of 1996 (I could be wrong; dates and me aren’t the best companions!). I think our department/team names were something like Business Systems Commercial/Operations… but whatever we were named, we had this wacky sense of humor that would conjure up funny moments regardless of the situation. We hit it off right away and continued to work as closely as we could albeit in different teams, but here’s the thing I absolutely adored about Dennis – he was honest, humble and human. Dennis was shrewd with his fiscal awareness and caring for corporate funds, but he cared equally if not more about the welfare of his team and his cohorts or partners in crime (though no crimes were committed!). He was smart, intuitive and would help others regardless of his own predicament and was happy to be in that mode.

We managed a couple of bike rides together in Fish Creek, and despite the rides, I swear his bike was older than he was, we’d cap it off with a stop in Starbucks where we became human and humorous again, sharing our life moments about family, work, hockey, and anything we could drum up. Anyway, I’m deeply saddened by this loss and I will forever remember him.

John H. Francis

This is such a difficult heartbreaking g los and I send my deepest condolences to Heather, Denis’s family and all those friends, colleagues and acquaintances whom Denis touched deeply….like me.

Denis was one of those special people in every person’s life that made a significant difference……he was that for me and his involvement in my life, at a very tenuous and stressful time for me and my family, represented a key inflection point in the direction I followed in my career and life. His guidance and encouraging coaching catalyzed a rehabilitation of confidence, self respect and ultimately a recovery to success and happiness. Strength, character, wickedly intelligent insight, wickedly sharp sense of humor, sensitivity and vulnerability are the pillars that he wielded to influence my life and I will forever remember Denis with love and deep respect. Without him I would never have recovered…..

The million times and ways Dennis touched our hearts and enriched our lives will never be forgotten. He made us laugh, he made us cry, and most of all he made us better. With deepest sympathy,

Jeff and Carol

To all the family of Dennis,

We were heartbroken to hear of Dennis's passing. Bob's friendship with him spanned many years and their getting together to share a birthday only 3 days apart was always on Bob's calendar and on his mind. From starting their friendship in high school and working together in the automotive industry to sharing many a cold beer to exciting car races when it fashionable through downtown Calgary.

We always treasured the friendship with Dennis and his family through the early years of our marriage, but in later years we lost touch as life changes became the norm.

We extend to all the family the wish of peace in your hearts now that Dennis is at rest.

Bob and Amy Veldhoen