Dennis M. Putnam (Putnam)

October 9, 1951 — May 27, 2016

Dennis "Denny" M. Putnam, 64, a longtime resident of Bennington, passed away Friday, May 27, 2016 at his home with his wife, Priscilla, by his side after a courageous 10-month battle with lung cancer.

Born in Keene, New Hampshire, Denny was the son of the late Reno M. Putnam and Eva (Noel) Putnam of Swanzey, NH. He received his education in Keene schools and was a 1969 graduate of Keene High School. Denny attended Greenfield Community College in Greenfield, Massachusetts, where he met his wife. He married Priscilla Stillson in Hyannis, Mass. in 1971 and resided in Keene, NH before relocating to Bennington in 1978.

Denny's more than 40-year career in retail began at Mammoth Mart, Kings and later Ames Department Stores in Bennington. He transitioned to a project manager role with Ames, where he traveled throughout the northeast to remodel existing and open new stores. After Ames' closure, he worked for Jo-Ann Fabric and Craft Stores, and then most recently for Ocean State Job Lot. During his career, he was renowned as a dedicated hard worker and leader who was well respected and loved by those who worked with him.

In his free time, Denny loved fishing, camping, and riding ATVs with his son, traveling to the islands with his wife, cheering on his beloved Boston Red Sox and New England Patriots, and making precious memories with his grandchildren, whom he adored. He will be deeply missed for his love, sense of humor, and colloquialisms delivered with his trademark accent.
Denny is survived by his wife Priscilla; his son Tim Putnam and his girlfriend Kelly Lorette of Bennington; his daughter Angela (Putnam) Strunk and her husband Jason of Lowell, Mass.; his grandchildren Miranda and Cameron Strunk of Lowell, Mass.; his mother Eva Putnam of Swanzey, NH; his brother Philip Putnam and his wife Karen of Christiansburg, Virginia; his sister Eileen Ball and her husband Russell of Swanzey, NH; and his uncles Lloyd Putnam and his wife Irene of Keene, NH and Dr. Alan Putnam and his wife Selma of Corvallis, Montana. He is also survived by several nieces, nephews, extended family, friends and his Ocean State work "crew." Denny was predeceased by his infant sister, Lynda Putnam, and his brother, Gene Putnam.
FUNERAL NOTICE: Visiting hours will be held at the Mahar & Son Funeral Home, 628 Main St., Bennington on Wednesday, June 1 from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. The funeral will be held at Sacred Heart Saint Francis de Sales Church, 238 West Main St., Bennington on Thursday, June 2 at 11:00 a.m.
Memorial contributions may be made in Denny's memory to the Cancer Center at Southern Vermont Medical Center, c/o SVHC Foundation, 100 Hospital Drive, Suite 41, Bennington, VT 05201 or Bennington Area Visiting Nurse Association & Hospice, 1128 Monument Avenue, Bennington, VT 05201.

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Service Schedule

Past Services

First Visitation

Wednesday, June 1, 2016

5:00 - 7:00 pm (Eastern time)

E. P. Mahar and Son Funeral Home

628 Main Street, Bennington, VT 05201

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Service Information

Thursday, June 2, 2016

Starts at 11:00 am (Eastern time)

Sacred Heart St. Francis de Sales

238 Main Street, Bennington, VT 05201