| Date of Birth | July 31, 1950 |
| Date Deceased | April 17, 2023 |
| Hometown | Hammondsport |
| Home State | N.Y. |
| Service Date | April 28, 2023 |
| Service Time | 2:00 p.m. |
| Service Location | American Legion, Hammondpsort |
| Interment Location | Pleasant Valley Cemetery, Hammondsport |
Dennis R. LaMarche
HAMMONDSPORT – Dennis Raymond LaMarche of Hammondsport, NY Succumbed to a year’s long illness on Monday, April 17, 2023.
Dennis was born on July 31, 1950, in Buffalo, NY to Raymond LaMarche and Lois May (née Blackman) LaMarche. He lived in Holland, NY where he attended school, was an altar boy at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church, worked at Moore’s Red and White Grocery Store, but always refused to go in the basement, and always created mischief with his friends.
He later attended Alfred State College before he was politely asked to leave after creating more mischief as a member of Kappa Sigma Epsilon. He then found his true calling at Simmon’s School of Mortuary Science in Syracuse, NY.
Following Simmon’s, Dennis worked at Vay-Schleich & Meeson Funeral Home and John M Hedge’s Funeral Home in Rochester, NY. In 1979, Dennis accepted a position at Bond-Davis Funeral Home in Hammondsport. Later, Dennis and a business partner purchased the business and then converted the Hammondsport Location into LaMarche Funeral Home. In 2020 Dennis sold the business to begin his retirement.
Dennis was a member, and past president, of Rotary in Hammondsport, The Bath Rod & Gun Club, The Moose Lodge, The Glenwood Club, and The American Legion. He was also a Fire Commissioner and Fire Marshall for the Hammondsport Fire Department. He is one of only two men from Steuben County to be on the cover of Sports Illustrated Magazine.
Dennis is survived by his daughter, Jennifer LaMarche and son-in-law DJ Philips. His son, Matthew LaMarche and daughter-in-law Haley and their three children Hayden, Bennett, and Adaline. As well as his sister Barbara Keller and his niece and nephews, cousins, and many dear friends from Holland and Hammondsport.
A Celebration of Life will be held at 2 p.m. on Friday, April 28, 2023, at the American Legion, Hammondsport.
In lieu of flowers memorial contributions in his honor can be made to the Hammondsport Fire Department, P.O. Box 337, Hammondsport, NY 14840. A portion of donations collected will be used to maintain the flower planter and fence at the Elmwood Cemetery in Hammondsport in his memory. Dennis has maintained these for many years.
The Bishop & DeSanto Funeral Home, 35 Main St., Hammondsport, is honored to assist Dennis’s family with the arrangements.
Online condolences or remembrances of Dennis are welcome in the comment section below or on the Facebook page of Bishop-Johnson & DeSanto Funeral Home.
Dear Jennifer and Matt, we are heartbroken to learn of Dennis’s passing. We will always treasure the memories of wonderful times spent together.
Matt,Jen and family,
We are so very sorry to hear about your dads passing. He had such a great sense of humor and compassion as well. We will miss Dennis,but remember him with many smiles. Our thoughts and prayers are with you. 🙏❤️💔🎂
Dear LaMarche Family,
Paul, Tina and the Watson boys will miss him dearly!
Dear Matt, Jen and Family: I will miss Dennis tremendously. I so enjoyed his sense of humor. He was one in a million. Underneath all of that was a very caring human. He will be missed by everyone Ashe was an icon of Hammondsport.
Matt and Jen, so very sorry to hear of your Dads passing. I so enjoyed his sense of humor along with all that he did for Hammondsport.
Jen & Matt
So sorry to hear of your Dad’s passing. He certainly was an original, loved his humor. He will be missed.
Matt and Jen, We will always remember being your neighbors in Hammondsport and being friends with your father. Lots of stories to tell. Gordon and Liz Herrick
Dennis became so important to our family through way too many services he helped us through our grief in the passing of loved ones. From grandparents, parents, siblings and so many family members. He also was a dear friend to our Mom. We were sad when he retired to not have his comforting presence at continuing times of loss but knew his retirement was well deserved. Not to mention, he would still show up to pay respect at many of our family services. He was a kind, compassionate and fun person. My heart goes out to his family. The community has lost one of its finest!
Jen and Matt, I am so very sorry to hear that your dad has passed. He was such a good friend of my husband, Wolfman, and we often got to enjoy his company at the “Stumble Inn”. He had such a great sense of humor and was very caring and compassionate. I always admired his professionalism at the funeral home and I know he was a blessing to so many over the years. He will be remembered and missed by all.
Jenn and Matt, Thank you for letting us share in your family. Dennis was a great friend and a huge part of your community. He will be missed by so many. Hugs to you both.
Dear Jen and Matt, I will truly miss your Dad. I have worked for him for an eternity as he said not long ago. I drove him crazy somtimes. Hugs and prayers for you.💖💖
I met Dennis when I worked at the Health Care Facility. He would come in and volunteer sometimes if we had a bigger event. He was always the life of the party, always kind, and made everyone laugh. I always enjoyed his help and company. He will be greatly missed; condolences to the family.
One of the funniest people I have ever met know he is in a better place with rink,bill,bonnie,cyndi and many others
Jen and Matt, so sorry to hear of your Dad’s passing. He was a wonderful guy and a fun guy! Condolences to you and your families!! Joyce (Dunham) Wahlig
Jen and Matt So sorry to hear about your dad’s passing. He was truly one of the great ones.
I will always remember Dennis’s kindness to my family at the time of my sister’s death ten years ago. He was kind, patient, made everything work out from the cemetery plot to the priest to the coffin despite our lack of planning, and he made no attempt to steer us toward pricier options than the simple, natural funeral we had in mind. I assume he was the same with every family. What a great service he performed to humanity.
This is a bit belated, but I want to post how I remembered Dennis from his (and my) long ago years growing up in Holland. He was simply unmistakable, always with a smile and perhaps a new (or old ) joke. It’s an oft-overused remark, but it’s abundantly true here–Dennis was a friend to everyone he met and I never knew anyone who ever spoke critically of him. RIP, old friend.
Jen and Matt, Sorry for your loss. We just heard about Dennis passing as we were traveling. When we moved to Hammondsport, Dennis greeted us with a heartful smile and welcome. We cherish the time we spent with Dennis at the Fire Department, VFW, America Legion, and other events. Dennis will be greatly missed as he was a pillar of our community. Sincerely. Ron and Shirley Pikula