1937 – 2022
Pomfret – Joseph Denis Morissette, known and loved by many as Denny, passed away on July 23, 2022, at the age of 84. He was born in the family farmhouse in Pomfret, CT to Gerard and Marie (Provost) Morissette.
Denny was profoundly involved in his community through his commitment to the fire department, local government, and advocacy for farmers. He deeply loved his family, friends, and the land he lived on. Denny loved to connect and chat with others and always brought a smile to any room he entered. He will be dearly missed and always hold a place in our hearts.
Denny is survived by his loving wife of 61 years, Delores (Tarr) Morissette; his children, Marcel (Lisa) Morissette and Michelle (Lance) Bouchard; six grandchildren, Matthew (Mariette), Jenny, D., Brittany, Dylan and André; siblings, Muriel (Joseph) Mrakovich and Leo (Susan) Morissette; and sister-in-law, Beryl Moreau.
He was predeceased by his son, René Morissette, and family members, Simone Gagne, Gilbert Morissette, and Robert Morissette.
In lieu of flowers, donations in Denny’s honor may be made to the Pomfret Fire District, 67 Hampton Rd., Pomfret, CT 06258, to help continue the work Denny so genuinely believed in.
Relatives and friends are invited to a Memorial Mass Tuesday, August 2, 2022, at 11:00am in Most Holy Trinity Church, 568 Pomfret St, Pomfret, CT. Masks are strongly and respectfully asked to be worn to protect the lives of others. For memorial guestbook visit www. GilmanAndValade.com
Marian Smat
Muriel, my deepest sympathies dear friend, you are in prayer.
Linds
So sorry to hear of the untimely passing of Papa. He was always so kind, helpful, and more than generous. My heart goes out to Grandma D. and the rest of the family. He will be greatly missed.
David (TUZZY) Navarro
My deepest sympathies to the entire family! I basically grew up hanging around the farm and credit my work ethic to my Dad and Denny’s examples. He will be missed by many. RIP Denny
France Drouin
Wishing you my sincerest condolences Dee and to your family as well.
Donna Grant
At a time when it was most respectful for children to call adults “Mr and Mrs” or “Aunt and Uncle”, my ‘Aunt and Uncle’ down the road became a second set of parents to me. I recall as many childhood memories at the farm as I do from my years in my mom and dad’s house on the hill. Uncle Denny’s successful candidacy for Pomfret’s First Selectman seat was my first foray into politics, going door to door, dropping campaign information and telling Pomfret residents what an awesome guy my ‘Uncle Denny’ was. It was those early town committee activities that shaped my beliefs about community and governance.
It was always a treat to stay overnight at the farm, especially in the summer when we’d get up in the dark, have a Grammy Tarr Blueberry muffin and head out to pick corn. And part of the daytime chores included helping Aunt De select the best corn, sort the seconds in the corn shed and husk the 3 dozen ears that went into the house for lunch!
It was on the farm I milked my first cow, saw my first chicks hatch, my first calf born, and developed a love of animals that has sustained me throughout my life.
Uncle Denny was always a remarkably positive guy, despite the unpredictability of farm life. He was slow to anger, and rarely raised his voice. He greeted everyone who stopped in at the farm with his signature smile. Whether it was Senator Dodd, or Congressman Gejdenson, stopping by the farm kitchen for a political conversation, Ed Pepin dropping off the Snow Plow routes (because to be a selectman you had to own a plow truck and you had to plow the snow!), Doug Child coming to breed a cow, Dicky DiBoneventura swinging in to pick up calves, Blackie stopping in with Farm Bureau news or all the Pomfret locals coming to buy corn, Uncle Denny’s smile and firm hand shake from his giant, calloused hands, was warm and genuine … and you knew you were welcomed.
I had lessons in Civic Engagement that were so much more than I ever learned in a classroom. Uncle Denny was a steward of the land, and of the community – the one he lived in and the ones he served; Elected town official, Fire Chief, Tax District Board, Farm Bureau, Democratic Town Committee, local, regional and state boards and committees – Uncle Denny was an iconic farmer and the quintessential public servant.
Perhaps my most precious memory is of our weeknight trips to get milk. Mom would go in the kitchen and visit with Aunt De and Uncle Denny while I would scurry to the Milk Room, sanitize the milk jug, and fill it from the bulk tank with rich, raw milk. Back in the kitchen the adults would visit for an hour or more, and the kids would play. No video games, very little TV … it was a different time.
While I never left Pomfret, we’ve all grown up and grown apart. But my connection with my Aunt and Uncle has continued in local restaurants or town meetings where we would bump into each other and exchange the ‘updates’.
Uncle Denny’s passing has struck me in a way that I did not anticipate. But it has also given me a chance to reflect on the immense gratitude I have for the myriad of lessons learned on the farm, in the home, and with the family of my Uncle Denny. God Speed Uncle Denny, I’m sure mom is waiting for you with a highball looking forward to rehashing old times!
Terry Guertin
Dear Dee & family
So sorry to hear of your hubby’s passing. God bless you. May your memories help you in this sad time.
Linda. Blue
Sorry for your loss✝️✝️
DAN BLACKMORE
Delores & Muriel sorry learn of Denny’s Passing.
Leon Zahaba
So sorry for your loss.
Harley
I personally miss him dearly. He was my first boss, as I worked for him on the farm as a young man. He was, and still is the only boss that thanked me and all the other employees just for coming to work. I mean everyday. That meant more to me than the paycheck. But, that was the kind of man he was. Genuine, kind, ridiculously hard working, and at the same time gentle. Miss you Denny!
Marshall & Ginny Eaton
Our thoughts and prayers with the Morissette Family.
Marshall & Ginny Eaton
Glenn Tarpinian
My Deepest Sympathy to Denny’s Family. I remember him as a hard working Man with Big Hands and a Bigger Heart that Loved His Family.
Glenn Tarpinian
Ray Navarro
Our deepest sympathy to the entire Morissette clan.
A great man who will be sorely missed.
Ray & Donna Navarro
Jim Gauthier
His mom was my moms aunt and we would see him when we went to the farm to buy corn. He was bigger than life to us little kids. Riding high on a tractor he always had time for a smile and a big wave. My condos to Leo and Muriel who will sorely miss his presence.
Gary & Barbara Ayers
So sorry to hear of Denny’s passing. Our prayers and thoughts are with Dee and the family. Dennys was a great person and a good leader.
God Bless.
LINDA THERRIEN
Dee, Muriel and families,
I am very sorry to hear of Dennys passing. He was a hard working man and one that will be missed by all who knew and loved him. May you find peace in the difficult days ahead without him and your memories keep him alive in your hearts. You are in my thoughts and prayers. RIP DENNY
Emile V. Breault III
To the Morissette family, Dee, Marcel, and Michelle.
Please accept our condolences for the loss of your husband, father, and of course, by extension to the whole family. I recall the visits to the farm when i was much younger….where I accompanied my dad and remember hanging out with Ren’e making hideouts with the hay bales. Good times. We will try to keep in touch despite our busy life.
Emile Breault/ Moe.
Thomas Slye Jr
So sorry for your loss he is leaving a big hole in the hearts of everyone who have known him he surly will be missed.
The Magnan Family
To The Morrisette and Bouchard Family’s. My heart is filled with sadness to hear of Deny’s passing. He was such a sweet and gentle man. Rest In Peace Deny.
Jamie and John scandalito
Deepest sympathy to all
Denny is a great person and lovely neighbor
Will be missing our chats on the side of the road
Love the scandalito family
Rob and deb Poissant
We offer our prayers and condolences to you Mrs. Morissette and family. You were the best neighbors.
. We have many fond childhood memories. We always enjoyed seeing and speaking with Denny/Mr. Morisette when he would visit with Roger in Pomfret over the years. Denny was a total family man and a friend. We were inspired by his good hard work ethic and friendly conversations.
Roger
A life long friend who will be greatly missed. Denny was always there when needing a helping hand. I will miss your visit to the farm to just sit and chat. See you in heaven Denny.
Jane Porter Wolak
My thoughts and prayers are with his family. Dennis was such a hard working man who I knew when I grew up on Tyrone Road. I have such fond memories of helping out at the farm – picking corn at 5:30 am and riding on the hay wagon.
May he rest in peace knowing that he was thought of so highly by so many.
Jane Porter Wolak
Linda Colangelo & Laura Crosetti
Dee and family,
Denny was one of the hardest-working, community-minded, most caring and gentle souls we have known. He plowed our driveway for many years, and no matter the time or how many hours he had been on the road, he would roll down his window and flash that beautiful smile…melting the snow and our hearts. How blessed he was to be so loved by so many. We will miss him and keep all of you in our hearts. – Linda & Laura
Ann Meehan Koycinskt
Delores==So sorry to hear about Denny! I feel you pain–I just lost my husband also! I have so many fond memories of us growing up together! In my thought and prayers!
Kay Davis
I lived across the road from Denny and clearly remember the happy times we all spent together playing ball, tunneling through the hair, smoking corn silk, and playing hid and seek. Although our lives went separate ways, a connection always remained through town affairs, church, teaching his children at PCS , right up to recently when I became friends with his grandson ,Andre ,at Westview Commons I feel fortunate that several weeks ago another childhood neighbor, Tracy Heavens, and I stopped by to see Denny
Denny was a wonderful person in so many ways. My sincere condolences to Delores, his children, ,siblings, and grandchildren.
al giovanni
One of the nicest families to live in Pomfret. All of Denny’s siblings were/are the best people with Denny being the role model. Will miss our chats at the post office. As we prepare to bury our son today, I share the families grief.
Al and Debbie Giovanni
Barbara van Haagen
I’m not sure what to say…life without Denny is not as full. My plans to move back home after so many years away are only 1-2 years off and I didn’t ever want to imagine them without Denny there. Everything Donna said, I can echo. My sneaking out of our home across the street to pick corn at what must have been 4am and get a ride in the bumpy Scout, then when the day started to get hot, having Dee’s homemade breakfast (the smell of maple bacon still takes me back.) I have never known anyone as kind and happy as Denny. He helped us out countless times- he was ALWAYS there. It’s going to take some getting used to that he no longer is. My heart goes out to the family – Dee, D, Michelle, Marcel, Leo – you are part of my past and hopefully, my future! I’m so sorry for your loss. We’ve lost a legend. He was my hero.
Penny Francisco
Dee and family, what a wonderful and kind man Denny was. He will be missed by many. Sincerely. Penny Francisco