Dennis R. Naso
BORN: July 14, 1943
DIED: October 20, 2011
RESIDENCE: Port Jefferson Station, NY
Bob,
The parents of one of Dad's former students is in the process of starting a scholarship in his name. More info to come, but a page is was up on Facebook:
I wish you could have been at the funeral. The church was filled with people there from every part of Dennis' life ( Hicksville , church, school where he worked) Father's homily was so personable, he made us laugh and cry, talking about Dennis. He said that Dennis was in every ministry except one - "Mommy and Me". They had a "piper" there playing outside the church. As HE left the church there were police car and motorcycle escorts. It was an awesome send-off. I know Dennis was in your thoughts and prayers.
Stay well!
Barbara (Bobbie Governale) Cutrone
Bob,
I am so sorry to hear the news. Please let me know about the arrangements. He was a wonderful, kind man who loved his family and friends. He will be missed. So glad I got to see him at the Mini reunions and our 50th.
Ann Fisher 
Ann Fisher
My heart is saddened and Dennis' friendship and smile will be with me always. Our prayers and thoughts are with Dennis and his family. Dennis has instilled a fond memory in our hearts and will be remembered always.
Bill Canham Classmate HHS 1961
Bill Canham 
Bill Canham
I am greatly saddened with the passing of Dennis, my heart and prayers go out to his family.
Ginny Frazer Caliguri 
Ginny Frazer Caliguri
I am glad that I had the opportunity to chat with Dennis at the reunion. When we met, he referred back to a long forgotten incident in high school when he told me to "keep this place clean or you will end up before the Clean Up Committee again". His attitude in the face of adversity was amazing and gives us an example to follow.
Larry Anton 
Larry Anton
So very sorry to hear about Dennis. My prayers are with Ethel and family during this sad time. My faith tells me he is in a better place and that memories will always be with us.
Bonnie (Scharr) Papes 
Bonnie (Scharr) Papes
Bob-
How sad to hear this news. Another reminder of how fragile this life is and that we need to lash on to every moment as though it is our last.
I think I will remember the guy with the black hair in the yearbook photo. And I will endeavor to "always keep my place clean."
Rosey... (Mike Rosenwasser)
I am so saddened to hear this news. I think of Dennis as one of the backbones of our class and he will certainly be missed by those whose life he touched. Although we were not friends in HHS, the warmth and friendship he showed me at the mini reunions and reunion meant a great deal to me. Dennis, thank you for all you did for all of us. Dennis is probably in Heaven right now arranging a reunion of our classmates who are there with him. May his family find peace and comfort knowing that many mourn with them.
Susan Schwartz Serlin 
Susan Schwartz Serlin
This is a reply to Susan Serlin's lovely words:
Hi Susan, Well said. I was envisioning the same scene.... Dennis staging all the "over the top fun " to be had in Heaven. Such a special man, always ready to help, always ready to make people laugh. always ready to tease!. Dennis "The Devilish Angel in Disguise". We love you Dennis .R.I.P.
Bob Cerone 
Kathy Graw Cerone 
Kathy Graw Cerone
I, too, was saddened to hear about Dennis' passing. I think all of us were afraid his health was failing. What a brave effort he made to be with us at the end of his life, and what a wonderful person he was! I think he touched all of us in a special way.
My fondest memory of Dennis was when answering a difficult question in school he would put his forefinger along side his nose and say "The Nose Knows!" I hadn't heard from Dennis since high school when one day my wife handed me the phone and said someone from NSO was calling. After 49 years I immediately knew it was Dennis calling. He had that kind of wonderful impact on me.
I believe he's gone on to Heaven and will be waiting for us. May he rest in peace.
Richie Penndorf 
Richie Penndorf
The Dear Naso Family,
Our hearts are so heavy and saddened at this time for Dennis and his devoted and lovely family. Dennis is such a wonderful, giving person - always thinking of others with a passion for always doing the best for everyone. We love him with all our hearts and we adore his wonderful wife, Ethel, and his sons Robert, Mark, Stephen and his dear brother, Joseph. Please know how many lives he has touched with his kindness and how much he has changed the world for the better with his compassion and love of life. Dennis is so very special to all. You are in our thoughts and prayers.
Sincerely,
Pat 
Pat 
"Little" Pammy Hiscox
Hi Bob,
This is indeed very sad news. The world has lost a truly wonderful person in Dennis. My heart goes out to you too, having to send this email. I am at a loss for words and but want Dennis' family to know that we all loved being around Dennis from when we first met him in Hicksville . I am glad I was able to be there for our 50th re-union that he helped to make so special. I will never forget Dennis.
Thanks for all of your efforts in keeping us posted. I know it was very hard on you and the rest of the committee.
Best regards,
Beth Mangani - Knipfing
Please extend my condolences. Dennis will always be remembered by me as fun to be in his company.
Shelley Heyman Baron (1961) 
Shelley Heyman Baron (Florida)
Dear Naso Family, I will always remember Dennis from our high school days. He was a down to earth great guy with a terrific sense of humor. We reconnected in the last year through HixNews and his work on the Class of '61's 50th Reunion , as the 50th for my class is next year. He never once let on that he was ill. I'm so glad to hear he was able to make his reunion and at least see some of his many friends for what became the last time. My heart goes out to all of you. I am so sorry for your loss. Dennis will be missed.
Sincerely,
Joe Carfora HHS 1962
Hi Bob
So sorry to hear about Dennis. He and I had shared many and e-mail over the years, we both had been middle school teachers. He had mentioned his sons and was so proud of them. He was a wonderful guy and I enjoyed seeing him at several of the reunions. He surly will be missed. Please send my condolences to his family. If you have an address I would like to send a card.
Thank you,
Dana (Hayden) Jackson (1962)
Dear Bob
I am so sad to hear about Dennis Naso's passing. I was just thinking about him yesterday because I had posted, on Facebook's Hicksville Site, a picture of my father's reunion with Ernie Naso attending. Mr. Rusch was there. I was happy to hear that Dennis attended the 50th reunion even when not feeling well. My prayers to his family and friends. Hope all is well with you, Bob.
Maureen Uss Bensen (1964) 
Maureen Uss Bensen
Bob,
My wife and I are sorry to hear about Dennis passing away. It was great to see and talk to him at the reunion and our condolences go to his family. I appreciate your passing this along.
Thanks again,
Jerry and Merrilee Collock
Jerry Collock 
Jerry Collock
My heart is broken.... this is very sad news. Dennis has always been a ray of sunshine. I will miss his funny e-mails and I will keep his family in my prayers.
Lillian (Manzo) Ramirez
I am truly sad to hear that Dennis passed away...I still remember him as being so very special in high school.
My sincere wishes to his family.
Maddy Frischman Leibowitz (1960) 
Maddy Frischman Leibowitz
Bob
My sincerest condolences to the entire Naso family.
John G. Cunningham (1958)
Death be not proud. It took a good and decent person away from us. All my memories of Dennis are good. He was an exceptional human being. He will be sorely missed by everybody. I just finished training in a jail. I meet the lowest of the low. They're still around and Dennis is gone. Life isn't fair sometimes.
Gerry Bair
Hi Bob,
Thank you for the note. My condolences to the Naso Family. Dennis was a Hicksville High School classmate as well as a Little League and Babe Ruth League teammate. In school or on the field he was always a "Bright Star" with a smile on his face and in his heart. He will be missed.
Ron Rocek (1960) 
Ron Rocek
It has been over 50 years since I have seen Dennis although I did speak with him during the planning of the Reunion. I am so sorry to have missed the reunion and being able to see Dennis again. Seeing his picture brings back such memories of high school and all the people I knew back then. It is like time passes but the memories are alive forever. Thank you Bob for keeping up this newsletter and info about Dennis. I have been blessed by your efforts.
Blessings,
Anna May (Powers) Riddell
Dear Fellow Classmates,
It was more than 50 years since I'd been in touch with any of you and Dennis was the first person to contact me after super sleuth Ann found me. It was like we had been in touch through the years, sharing many laughs. I am so, so sorry to hear of his passing and mourn the fact that we will no longer be blessed with his person, his wonderful zest for life.
May God comfort and enfold in His arms, Dennis' family and all of you who were blessed to have Dennis in your lives through the years.
With Deepest Sympathy,
Eileen (Oxenholm) Baxter 
Eileen (Oxenholm) Baxter
Hi Bob
The information for the wake and church service is listed on Dennis Naso's Facebook page. I was able to view it, even though he was not a Facebook friend of mine...Hope all is well with you...
Barbara Harlin Madden
p.s.
Bob, the wake is at the Bryant Funeral Home in East Setauket, NY on Sunday and Monday...Church service on Tuesday...If you Google Bryant Funeral Home you will be able to see all of the information that you need.
Bob,
Just walked back home from the H.H.S homecoming football game against Plainview. Hicksville was winning 27-0 at the end of the 3rd quarter when I left. Halftime was a great show. The stands were filled with people for the one time that happens every year. The homecoming fair was jammed. I spent about an hour there and then drove back home. I did some stuff and then walked back to H.H.S What a day here in Hicksville. Autumn and all it entails.
Sorry to hear about Dennis Naso. His uncle, Pat Naso was an assistant principal my one year in the Jr. High [9th grade]
I'm going to watch the DVD you made for the class of 1961 again tonight. Take care,
Chris Andersen '67
Dear Bob,
I just learned this morning that Dennis passed away. Needless to say, I am overwhelmed with grief for Dennis and his family.
I would like to pass on my sympathies to Ethyl, Robert, Mark and Steven as well as Dennis's brother Joe. Is there some way I can convey the message of sympathy below? I would very much appreciate any assistance.
Thanks
Bob DeMatteo 
Bob DeMatteo
Dear Ethyl and Sons, Robert, Mark and Steven and Brother Joe,
It is with a heavy heart that I write you to express my sincerest sympathy for your loss of Dennis. Our family, my sister Angela and my wife Dale share in this loss of a kind and wonderful person.
For most of our years at Hicksville High School we shared a daily morning walk to school. When I would drop in to the Naso kitchen to pick Dennis up, there would be Mamma Naso doting over Dennis--breakfast laid out with his one a day vitamin and glass of orange juice next to his bowl of cereal. Here I would patiently wait while Dennis methodically completed his breakfast ritual which became a subject of much teasing. During these walks we would share many thoughts and much of Dennis's humor. At school we also shared a number of subject classes--Geometry, English, etc. These classes were all the more enjoyable because of Dennis's antics. I was always awed by his ability to ingratiate himself even after pulling some of the most outrageous stunts in class. Dennis had a talent for humor--his hero as I recall was the great American humorist/popular philosopher, Will Rogers. I remember him doing a Will Rogers routine in one of our classes. He used to quote him--'Never met a man I didn't like', was one of them, I recall. And in my experience, that's what summed up Dennis as a human being. He accepted people as they were, and always found the good in people.
I've been blessed to have Dennis as a friend. He added much to my life. He will always be in my thoughts. In these he shall live forever. Dennis and I lost touch over the years until the HixNews site brought us in touch with one another again. I am grateful that I was able to attend our 50th reunion and share some moments together again. It was fortunate also that my sister Angela got to connect with him also.
Please know that we share the burden of your sorrow.
With much love and sympathy, we remain
Yours,
Bob DeMatteo and Family
My daughter told me today that one of her favorite teachers from high school had just passed away. It was Dennis. My children went to Sachem HS in Ronkonkoma. I did not know Dennis in school so had not realized "Mr. Naso" was a fellow Hicksville grad. My children spoke very highly of him. So, even though I didn't know Dennis, he has touched my family in a positive way. I am sending his family condolences from my family and hope they know he was a special man to more than just his family.
Anne (Kappel) Byrne (1967)
Our thoughts and prayers are with the Naso family at this very sad time. We hope that the many happy memories you have shared together will help ease your pain. Dennis will be missed by all who knew him.
Ellen Eichler Sweeting and Jim Sweeting
Ellen Eichler Sweeting
Dear Ethel and family, Ed and I send you all our deepest sympathy. Dennis was a dear friend who was always upbeat and happy to share a story about the old, high school days and the more recent events of his children, grandchildren, and any other item that crossed his path. It was wonderful to see him looking so well at our 50th reunion that it is just inconceivable that he will not be at the next reunion. We send you all of our love and prayers.
Angel Anselmo Giannelli 
Ed Giannelli
Dear Ethel and Sons, I am so sorry to hear about Dennis' passing. He was a very nice and caring person. Thank you for your prayers earlier this year for my loss. You both are wonderful!
Joan Komar Langlois, HHS 1961
