Dennis Emery McElreath

January 9, 1948 - March 27, 2016

Mr. Dennis Emery McElreath, age 68, husband of Uta McElreath , and a resident of Lehigh Acres, FL, passed away on Sunday, March 27, 2016 at Gulf Coast Hospital in Ft. Myers, FL.

A memorial service will be held on Tuesday, April 5, 2016 at 6:00 PM at Heritage Funeral Home. Military honors will be provided by the United States Army. An inurnment will be held in Maury Memorial Gardens Mausoleum. Heritage Funeral Home is assisting the family with arrangements.

Born on January 9, 1948 in Uxbridge, MA, Dennis was the son of the late Troy Edwin McElreath and the late Erma Lou Hudson McElreath. He graduated from Uxbridge High School where he was a member of both the track and cross country teams and was one of the best high school runners in the Worcester County area. He served his country in the United States Army in Germany where he met Uta in the late 60’s. They wed on May 7, 1988. Dennis enjoyed playing basketball recreationally, and he loved all of the New England teams: New England Patriots, Boston Celtics, and the Boston Red Sox. Dennis also enjoyed singing karaoke, especially Frank Sinatra and Elvis!

In addition to his wife, he is survived by his children: Pauline Spencer of Hudson, FL, Maurizio “Mike” (Rachelle) Franceschetti of Spring Hill, Tricia (Kongsavanh) Savankham of Spring Hill; grandchildren: Ricky, Nicholas, and Destiny Spencer, Willie Wade, Dennis, Denizia, and Dezmond Flores, Michael, Alex, Chris, and Jared Franceschetti, Tatiana, Anthony, and Zac Savankham; eleven great grandchildren; brothers: T. Jack (Jeanne) McElreath of Scottsdale, AZ, David (Jean) McElreath of Uxbridge, MA, J. Michael (Pam) McElreath of Whitinsville, MA; sisters: Martha Taschereau of Marysville, WA, P. Diane Chludenski of Cumberland, RI, Linda (Ken) Marchand of Uxbridge, MA , Ellen (Tony) Hudon of Uxbridge, MA; and several nieces and nephews.

Along with his parents, he was preceded in death by his brothers: J. Kenneth McElreath, Robert T. McElreath, R. Larry McElreath; sister: Nancy L. Roberts; and infant grandchild: Tabitha Savankham.