Dennis James Wagasy, age 77, of Monroe, Michigan passed away suddenly Saturday, December 14, 2024 at ProMedica Monroe Regional Hospital. Dennis was born January 18, 1947 in Detroit, he was the son of Emery James and Margaret June (Kurtzhals) Wagasy. Dennis was a loving husband to Cindy Johnson and they married May 5, 1979 at St. Bernard Catholic Church in Benton Harbor.
He grew up in St. Clair Shores and some of his fondest childhood memories were riding the bus to Hudson's in Detroit with his Nana. He graduated from Lakeview High School in St. Clair Shores in 1965. Next, he went to the banks of the Red Cedar where he attended his beloved Michigan State University. Dennis made lifelong friends in Wonders Hall and earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Social Sciences, 70' and a Bachelor of Science degree in Landscape Architecture, 73'. He was in East Lansing from 1965 to 1973 and during this time also served his country as a reservist in the U.S. Air Force where he was a medic.
Dennis and Cindy met in storybook fashion at the Blossomtime Festival Parade in St. Joseph in May 1978. There was an instant connection and they married the following year and had Melissa in 1980 and Andrea in 1983. Dennis was a devoted husband, father and grandfather and he and Cindy created a beautiful life and family together. They loved renovating their house, built in 1924 and yard, filling it with meticulously selected antiques and a menagerie of furry family members to make it home.
Dennis was a registered landscape architect for Floral City Tree Service for many years before his retirement. It was in retirement that he found his two favorite jobs; cutting the grass at Carrington Golf Club on, "Big Dog" his mower and serving as the most attentive driver to his grandkids.
Above all else Dennis cherished his family and the time spent with them. His focus and purpose was always his wife, daughters, grandchildren and the home they made for them. He and Cindy were members of Trinity Lutheran Church in Monroe. Dennis was an avid fan of Michigan State and all Detroit sports teams. He loved history, music and was always pulled to Lake Michigan.
He is survived by his wife, Cindy; two daughters, Melissa Wagasy of Detroit and Andrea (Scott) Shappee of Monroe; a brother, Kevin (Sandy) Wagasy of Warren; five grandchildren, Dylan, Bella, Keira, Teagan and Riley and a great grandson, River James.
He is preceded in death by his parents.
Visitation will be held Wednesday, December 18, 2024 from 1 to 8 p.m. at Bacarella Funeral Home, 1201 S. Telegraph Rd., Monroe. He will lie in state Thursday December 19, 2024 from 10 a.m. at Trinity Lutheran Church, 323 Scott St., Monroe with services beginning at 11 a.m. Rev. Mark Duerr will officiate. Burial will follow at Roselawn Memorial Park, LaSalle.
Dennis believed that college students should not have to worry where their next meal would come from and would encourage people to donate to the Michigan State University Student Fook Bank at https://givingto.msu.edu/gift/?sid=19802
Online condolences and special memories may be shared with the family by visiting the obituary page at www.bacarellafuneralhome.com .