Dennis Michael Grappi

Grappi, Dennis Michael of Georgetown, passed away early Monday morning, December 30, 2024, after a courageous and prolonged battle with Alzheimer’s disease. He was 70 years old.

Dennis was born in Lynn to Dolores Merson (Skidmore) and Sergio Grappi. He grew up on Fay’s Ave. with his older sister Cheryl and two younger sisters, Gail and Robin. He attended St. Mary’s in Lynn and went on to get his bachelor’s degree in History at Suffolk University. Following in his father's footsteps, Dennis worked alongside Sergio in their carpentry business before eventually becoming a contractor. He carried on the family legacy with “Grappi and Sons Construction,” now led by his son, Mark.

Dennis met the love of his life, Janice, at Copperfield’s at Fenway in 1978. They married in 1981 and spent the next decades raising three wonderful children—Dan, Mark, and Christina—in Georgetown, Massachusetts, where they made their home for 39 years.

A passionate reader, Dennis spent many hours in his favorite recliner, absorbed in a thriller novel, often with music playing in the background. Music was a lifelong love; Dennis played keyboard in several bands during his youth where he met some of his closest friends. He attended countless concerts and his appreciation for music was evident as he often could be heard whistling along to his favorite songs, always on key and loudly.

Dennis also developed a deep love for travel, having visited his father’s family in Italy multiple times as a child. This sparked a lifelong desire to explore the world, and he shared that passion with his children through trips that enriched their lives and taught them invaluable lessons. He always believed that experiences were more important than material gifts, a sentiment he passed on to his children. Dennis was especially proud of attending their sporting events, where he could often be heard cheering—sometimes loudly and unabashedly —sports was a passion.

A true animal lover, Dennis always had a soft spot for cats, and at any given time, there were at least two or three in his care. His relationship with the family dog, Sammy, was especially meaningful, as the two formed a bond that lasted until the very end.

Dennis will be remembered for his compassion, hard work, intelligence, humor, and social consciousness.

He is survived by his loving wife, Janice (Hagan) Grappi of Georgetown, and their children, Dan and his wife Michelle, of Reading, Mark of Amesbury, and Christina of Denver, CO. He was a devoted Grampy to his grandchildren, Owen and Maya. Dennis also leaves behind his sisters, Cheryl Grappi of CT, Gail McCannon of Lynn, and Robin Grappi of Swampscott, along with his brothers-in-law, nieces, and nephews.

Relatives and friends are respectfully invited to greet the family during the visiting hours on Friday, January 3, 2025, from 4-7 PM in the Conte-Giamberardino Funeral Home, 14 Pleasant St., Georgetown. A Celebration of Life Service will be held at the funeral home on Saturday, January 4, 2025, at 10:30 AM. Cremation will follow.​

In lieu of flowers, donations in memory of Dennis may be made to Alzheimers Assn., MA Chapter, 309 Waverley Oaks Rd., Waltham, MA 02452 or MSPCA at Northeast Animal Shelter, 347 Highland Ave., Salem, MA 01970.orgetown.com

For funeral home directions, florists or to share a memory of Dennis with his family, please visit www.cgfuneralhomegeorgetown.com

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