Dennis A. Dlugolecki, 64, of 451 Bishopville Road Ext.,
Arkport, NY (Town of Almond) died unexpectedly Monday morning at his home just
shy of his 65th birthday.
Born in Goshen, NY on June 29, 1955, he was the son of
Polish Immigrants Teslav “Chester” & Catherine (Shults) Dlugolecki.
Dennis grew up in Orange County, NY and attended Goshen High
School (class of 1974) where he excelled in soccer and was named to the
all-county team. Following graduation, Dennis worked at the local Ford Motor
Plant before starting a career with the NYS Department of Corrections at the
Sing Sing Correctional Facility. “Doogie” would later transfer to the Groveland
Correctional Facility and retire after 25 years.
In 1990, the family relocated to Hornell, NY where they
resided on Heather Heights and Elm Street before moving to Bishopville in
Arkport. During his time in Upstate, NY he co-founded two area real estate
businesses with his wife Pam, and good friend, Roy Forshee. Growing from a
single property on Bennett St. in Hornell, the companies blossomed to tens of
properties spread throughout the Southern Tier. As an advocate of the Wounded
Warrior Project, Dennis always worked to provide adequate housing arrangements
for veterans and their families.
Dennis loved making people laugh, discussing world events,
playing with his grandson, Declan, and watching Yankees baseball. He coached
youth soccer and Hornell Little League and supported many area organizations
including the Hornell Alumni Association and the Humane Society. Dennis was
also a member of the Hornell Association and a past officer of the Elks Lodge.
He was preceded in death by his parents, brother &
sister-in-law, Leonard & Thereasa Dlugolecki; and his niece, Joanne
(Dlugolecki) Space.
Dennis was married 35 years to the former Pamela Nickerson
Dlugolecki, who survives. Also, surviving are his daughter, Rachael (Ruadhri
McCormick) Dlugolecki of Seattle, WA; his son, Tyler Dlugolecki of San Diego,
CA; his grandson, Declan McCormick; his mother-in-law, Sylvia (Byron) Leonard;
his father-in-law, Bill (Pam) Nickerson; two sister-in-laws, Tamera Donovan
(Don Jackson), and Ginger Montgomery; two brother-in-laws, William (Johnna)
Nickerson and Shane (Jill) Nickerson; and several cousins, nieces &
nephews.
The family of Dennis A. Dlugolecki will receive friends on
Friday from 5:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m. at the Dagon Funeral Home, 38 Church St.,
Hornell, NY. Due to the Coronavirus pandemic restrictions, only 25 people at a
time will be admitted into the funeral home and everyone is required to wear a
mask. A Mass of Christian Burial will be
celebrated Saturday at 11:00 a.m. at St. Ann’s Church in Hornell where everyone
will be required to wear a mask. Burial
will be in St. Mary’s Cemetery, Town of Fremont. A Celebration of life will
immediately follow at the Main Place in Hornell at 1:00 p.m.
Dennis’ family request that in lieu of flowers, memorial
contributions in his name be made to the Hornell Soccer Program C/O the Hornell
Alumni Association, PO Box 135, Hornell, NY 14843.
