Businessman Daniel Dennis Sr. dies at 68

Daniel Dennis Sr., a well-known businessman that was inspired by the Civil Rights Movement to become a professional accountant, died earlier this month. He was 68 years old.

Born in 1942 and raised in Bridgeport, Conn., “Danny,” as he was known by his friends, family and colleagues, was one of 11 children.

Dennis graduated from the University of Bridgeport in 1964 with a B.S. degree in business administration. After his graduation, Dennis was hired by Pricewater House, where he worked in New York City. He later worked for Opportunities Industrialization Centers (OIC) in Brooklyn for two years.     

In 1968, during the Civil Rights Era, Dennis attended Harvard Business School, where he received his M.B.A. in 1970.  

Shortly after graduation, Dennis and two of his classmates founded a CPA firm that was later merged into the Lucas and Tucker CPA firm. In 1981, he founded and was managing partner of Daniel Dennis & Company LLP, a certified public accounting firm in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. As a CPA, Dennis was an active member of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants.

Dennis was an established member and contributor to many boards throughout the New England community, and served on the Board of Directors of Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, NSTAR, the Salvation Army and the United Way of Massachusetts Bay (Merrimack Valley).

He was a former board member and trustee of the Boston Chamber of Commerce, One United Bank, University of Massachusetts (Amherst and Boston) and the University of Bridgeport.  Dennis was also a member of the National Association of Black Accountants (NABA) and a lifetime member of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP).   

In addition to his numerous contributions to the business community, he was a former member and trustee of St. John’s Baptist Church in Woburn, Mass. Most recently he was a member of Twelfth Baptist Church in Roxbury.    

Dennis leaves his wife, Mary and his sons Daniel Jr., Robert and Langdon. He was also the brother of Annie McCann of Atlanta, Ga., Julia Samuel, Adgie Dennis Jr., Robert Dennis, Linda Bultron, Rodney Dennis, Izetta McIntosh, Erline Dennis and Deborah Dennis, all of Bridgeport, Conn., and the late John Dennis.

In lieu of flowers donations can be made in memory of Daniel Dennis Sr., to Dana-Farber Cancer Institute for Pancreatic Cancer Research, 10 Brookline, Place, West 6th floor, Brookline, MA 02445.