Dennis Martin Tekula's Obituary
Dennis Martin Tekula, 68, passed away on 10/23/22 after a nine year battle with cancer.
Dennis was born on 1/31/54 in Linden, NJ to parents John and Rose. He grew up with his siblings Judy, John, Robert and Rosemarie. He nurtured a love for acting participating in events like Shakespeare in the Park and performing in community theaters. While working at Budget Rent-a-Car he met his soon to be wife, Jean, in 1983. They married in 1985 and moved to Florida, expanding their family in 1989 with son, Daniel, and daughter Katie in 1992. The family expanded again in 2015 with the addition of his grandson, James, and again in 2020 with the addition of a wonderful son-in-law, James, and four step-granddaughters, Laura, Rachel, Haley and Belle. Dennis continued to perform in community theater primarily at Richey Suncoast Theatre in New Port Richey. He began a career at Home Depot in 1987 working in the flooring dept. He moved on to garden and finished his career there, after almost 15 years of service, as a kitchen cabinet designer. Dennis decided to pursue interests in the medical field after leaving Home Depot and went back to school. At age 50 he graduated from Pasco Hernando Community College and became a radiology technician. He thrived in his new field, enjoying his role of helping people and being able to assist with their healing. Unfortunately, a cancer diagnosis at the end of 2013 soon forced him into an early retirement. He then redirected his efforts to prolonging his life and being able to pour his love out for his family. Despite the ups and downs of his battle with cancer, Dennis strove to foster his relationships with those around him. He sang on the worship team at church, he crawled on the floor to play with his grandson, he took every opportunity to celebrate his friend's and family's successes and also lent an ear for their trials. Dennis was and always will be remembered as a man with a quick laugh and a kind heart. A steadfast friend and loyal family man that would give the world for the happiness of those he loved.
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