Robert Denni

Robert Louis Denni was born December 13th, 1928 and rejoined his beloved wife Jean December 24th, 2019. Bob was the oldest of three. He and his two sisters Elisa and Eleanor grew up in Wilmington, California. Bob attended High School at St. Anthony’s in Long Beach, where he met Jean. They married June 10th, 1950. Soon after, they had four children. Bob graduated from Loyola Marymount University with a BS in Economics and started work as a Bookkeeper at Wilmington Savings and Loan, the savings and loan founded by his grandfather. Bob eventually became president of Wilmington Savings and Loan. Along the way, Bob served ten years in the Naval reserve.

Bob and Jean loved to travel together and see new places. Among those destinations were Branson, Missouri, Various cities in Alaska and Canada, Hawaii, and the Fiji Islands. Their trip to Fiji was the first time that Jean had ever flown, and after some work, she learned to be comfortable flying. Bob and Jean went everywhere together until Jean passed February 12th, 2014.

Bob loved big band music. Probably when big band was at its peak, our country knew who we were on this planet, we were proud of our destiny, and we didn’t shy away from fulfilling that calling on us as a nation. Listening to musicians like Lawrence Welk reminded Bob of his youth, when the world made a lot more sense than it seems to now.

Bob will be remembered mostly for his devotion to God, family, and home improvements. Right up to the day that he died, Bob started his day in prayer under the watchful eye of a portrait of his beloved Jean, with a rosary hanging from one corner of the picture frame. That pretty much summed him up. God and family were always closely related for Bob. God was present to Bob in his family, and Bob served God in the family that God had given him.

Bob and Jean’s home is a testimony to the countless hours that Bob spent through the years improving and adding to their home. In many cultures, food is love. Bob showed his love with home improvements. What a cook does with spices and a spoon, Bob did with hammer and nails. Bob’s father-in-law was a big help to Bob in his younger years, and Bob always wanted to pay that forward whenever he could. A closet that Bob built for his son-in-law and daughter Mary 35 years ago still stands today as an example of his generosity. He’s helped build storage, do brickwork, plumbing and doubtless other improvements for his children in their homes, carrying on the tradition of hammering home his love for his family.

Bob thanked those around him for everything that came to him. Even something as humble as pushing his chair in for him when he sat down at the table got a “thank you”. No matter what was going on, Bob always greeted new arrivals warmly, and cared about those around him. Bob taught us how to age gracefully. Bob never let the setbacks that came his way overwhelm him, he adjusted as best as he could, and got on with life. We’re all grateful for his example.

Bob is survived by two sons, one daughter, three grandsons and two granddaughters.

Bob’s family and friends will gather to celebrate his life, comfort each other, and thank God for this marvelous man on Friday, January 10th, 2020 at St. John Fisher Church 5448 Crest Road in Rancho Palos Verdes. Come and share some memories with us.