Dennison Joseph Parolini, age 85, of Turlock, California passed away on Saturday, January 15, 2022. Dennison was born March 31, 1936 in Porterville, California to Lillian Agnes Rising and Ben Parolini.
Dennison grew up on the family farm in Lemoore, where cotton, row crops, and dairy cattle were raised. He graduated from Lemoore High School in 1954, and attended the College of the Sequoias, where he met his future wife Pauline, until 1956 when he enlisted in the United States Air Force. While in the Air Force, Dennison was stationed in Thule, Greenland as part of the Strategic Air Command during the Cold War Period. It was in the Air Force that he fine-tuned the mechanical skills he had learned as a child working on their family farm and dairy. He married Pauline in 1959 when he returned stateside and finished his service to our country at Kingsley Airfield, in Klamath Falls, Oregon.
In 1960, Dennison and Pauline returned to California with their first daughter Anne, and settled in Porterville, where four other children would be born. After short times of employment with an insurance company and the Porterville State Hospital, Dennison began working for the United States Post office. He was involved in St. Annes Parish during this time, and one of his hobbies was stock car racing. He was a mechanic for the car he owned with friends - #59 Hugh Baby. Saturday nights were spent at the Porterville Speedway with family and friends.
In 1970 the family moved to Turlock where Dennison transferred to the Turlock Post Office, working there until he retired in 1996. He and Pauline purchased land and built a house where they raised their children. He was an active member of Sacred Heart and All Saint’s Parishes, the Knights of Columbus, and the National Association of Letter Carriers. He devoted many hours to the activities of those groups, and to the activities of his family, including 4-H, FFA, hunting, camping, playing cards and chess.
In about 2010, Dennison began having symptoms of memory loss. This would later be diagnosed as Alzheimer’s Disease. The slow cruel progression of the disease eventually took away the ability for him to recognize many of his dear family and friends. But he was blessed for the most part with a happy disposition. He remembered his manners and even in the last days of his life would tell his caregivers “Please” and “thank you”.
Dennison is survived by his spouse of 62 years, Pauline F. Parolini of Turlock; three daughters, Anne Anderson (Thomas) of Turlock, Cindae Hull (John) of Manteca, Karen Pedras (Frank) of Eagle, Idaho; son Benjamin Parolini (Kirstin) of Merced; brothers John Parolini (late wife Elsie) of Riverdale, Leo Parolini (late wife Veronica) of Hanford, Albert Parolini (Sharon) of Salinas; sisters Louise Tessoriere (Tony) of Hanford, Agnes Parolini of North Bend Oregon, Frances Jungwirth (Bill) of Visalia and Catherine Riddle (Harold) of Hanford; fifteen grandchildren and ten great grandchildren.
Dennison was preceded in death by his son Joseph Dennison Parolini; his grandson Frank (Trey) Pedras III; his father Ben (Domenico Bertolomeo) Parolini; his mother Lillian Agnes Rising; and two siblings who passed as infants.
A memorial Service will be held Wednesday February 16, 2022, at All Saints University Parish 4040 McKenna Dr, Turlock. The Rosary will begin at 10:30 and Mass at 11:00. A luncheon will be served after at the American Legion Hall, Botham Road Turlock.
Remembrances may be made to Saint Thomas Retirement Home 2937 N Berkeley Ave, Turlock, CA 95382, All Saints University Parish Building Fund, 4040 McKenna Dr, Turlock, CA 95382 or Lifeguard Hospice Care 6700 Koll Center Parkway #115, Pleasanton, CA 94566-7032
Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.whitehurstnortondiasfunerals.com for the Parolini family.
