Bergen - Dennis “Max” J. Sapienza, aged 74, passed away on August 22, surrounded by his loving family at The Palliative Care Clinic at Strong Memorial Hospital. He was born in Springville NY, on April 7, 1950, the eldest son of the late Joseph and Jean (Tuohey) Sapienza.
Dennis was a lifelong Bergen Resident, not including his time at St. John Fisher College where he majored in History. Dennis was a graduate of the Byron-Bergen Class of 1968, where his senior year he was catcher for the sectional winning baseball team at Byron-Bergen School; the one and only baseball title held at B-B to this day. Dennis later transitioned to softball, where he would meet his life partner, Anne. In his later years he was a weekly golfer with friends and enjoyed lunches at The Byron Hotel. If Dennis considered you a friend, you were one of the luckiest people around as he held a true allegiance to friendship. After his family, friends were the next closest people to him. He was a Cub Scout leader, coached youth soccer and baseball. Dennis also found Anne could keep him busy with her volunteer work!
It was here in his hometown where he would accomplish his proudest achievement, when his 1829 T-shaped Greek Revival style farmhouse was designated as a historic home by the Landmark Society of Genesee County. Dennis valued all of his family and took delight in welcoming them to his “crown and glory” home and spending time with them.
Dennis owned and operated Proline General Contracting, where he would travel and replace phone booths all over the region. After the landline telephone model dwindled, he then enjoyed working for Dilcher Excavating & Contracting. In retirement he loved helping grow Sapienza Design, his son Will’s business.
Dennis is survived by his loving wife of 41 years, Anne (Muldoon) Sapienza; sons, William Joseph Sapienza (Eliana), Andrew Dennis Muldoon (Chloe); grandson, Luca Alberto Sapienza; siblings Lee (Rachel) Sapienza, Joann (Michael) Starowitz, Karen (Joel) Hall; sisters-in-law Kathleen Sapienza of Buffalo, Kathy Swizdor of North Carolina, Susan Muldoon of Auburn and mother-in-law Joan Muldoon of Auburn; niece Kaitlyn (Paul) Chmielowiec; and nephews Matthew (Amy) Starowitz and Ethan Hall; along with many, many loving friends.
He was preceded in death by his parents, brother Donald, and niece, Kara Hall.
Friends and family may call on Wednesday from 2 to 5 p.m. at H.E. Turner & Co., Funeral Home, 51 S. Lake Street, Bergen, NY, with a service held at 5 pm and reception to follow.
His family wishes to extend their utmost appreciation to the folks at Genesee Cancer Assistance and the many nurses, doctors and staff in the Emergency and Palliative Care units at Strong for the excellent care they provided. Flowers happily welcome or in lieu of, memorial contributions may be made to the Palliative Care Program - Office of Advancement, P.O. Box 278996, Rochester, New York 14627 or to Genesee Cancer Assistance, Inc., 127 North Street, Batavia, New York 14020. To leave a condolence, share a story or light a candle in his memory, please visit www.bataviafuneralhomes.com.
As a lifelong daily reader of the local obituaries, Dennis is now honored to be among the ranks.
