Dennis Wright Barton, cared about community
Dennis Wright Barton, 76, of Rehoboth Beach passed away peacefully Wednesday, June 24, 2020, at Beebe Healthcare in Lewes. He was surrounded by his loving family.
Dennis was born in Camden, N.J., March 1, 1944, the son of Alice and Frank Barton Sr., the third of five children.
While Dennis spent some of his childhood in Michigan with his family, he lived most of his adult life in New Jersey, particularly Mount Holly. Dennis was a sergeant in the New Jersey National Guard for over 24 years. When he retired, he made his home in Rehoboth Beach to be close to his beloved mother Alice Barton, who passed away in 2007.
Dennis was a voracious reader and a great conversationalist who could touch on every topic you could imagine from quantum physics to the Boston Red Sox. He had a passion for wildlife, especially goats, wolves, and Delaware’s very own horseshoe crabs! He also loved theater, The Beatles, Bob Dylan and James Taylor. He was a lifelong Democrat, and was quite proud of his Irish heritage. He was witty, generous, tenacious, intellectually curious about the world around him, and always wanted to make sure his loved ones were doing well. He cared deeply about his community of Rehoboth Beach, where he enjoyed visiting the local wildlife parks and the ocean.
Dennis leaves behind his daughter Shannon Oksman of Troy, N.Y., and her husband Peter; his brother Christopher Kevin Barton of East Lansing, Mich.; his niece Jane Tan of Barnegat, N.J., and her partner William Ballinger, and Jane’s three children: Jeremy Pringle of Barnegat, his fiancé Morgan Barsch, and Jeremy’s sons Aiden and Kieran, Timothy Pringle of Voorheesville, N.Y., his wife Emily, and their sons Tristan and Eoin, and Sarah Pilovsky and her wife Nicole, all of whom he cherished his time with them. He also leaves behind his best friends Jim Ring, Jim’s wife Kate, Tina Wright, and Jack Murray, all of whom were truly Dennis’ Guardian Angels during his illness, and all of whom have volunteered their time at Meals on Wheels. The family extends our gratitude toward Meals On Wheels of Lewes-Rehoboth for doing so much to help Dennis over the years.
Dennis will be interred at the Delaware Veterans Memorial Cemetery in Millsboro. There will be a private family service to remember him later in the year.
Thank you, Sergeant Barton, for your service to your country, for the love you had for your family, and for your passion for Rehoboth Beach. You were dearly loved, and our fond memories of you will keep us company when we are missing you.
In lieu of flowers, donations to the Meals On Wheels Lewes-Rehoboth are welcome and can be made to: Meals On Wheels of Lewes-Rehoboth, 32409 Lewes Georgetown Hwy., Lewes, DE 19958.
Online condolences may be sent by visiting www.melsonfuneralservices.com.
