Dennis Chriss

Dennis Chriss (Chrzanowski)

June 7, 1947 – June 13, 2023

Always the life of the party and everyone’s biggest supporter. Proud, hilarious, loving and generous are just a few words to describe the larger-than-life personality of our Dad/Gramps.

Dennis Chriss, 76 years old, of North Tonawanda, New York, passed away on June 13, 2023, at his daughter’s home in Roanoke, Virginia, while under the care of his loving wife, Francine, and Hospice. He was born on June 7, 1947, the son of the late Walter and Stephanie (Wegrzyn). Dennis had fond memories from his years as a student at Bishop Gibbons High School and the University of Buffalo. After completing his education, he served in the United States Air Force as an Electrical Power Line Specialist and transitioned his career into the Automotive field. Dennis spent many years with General Motors in Detroit, Michigan and later retired from Flow Automotive in Winston-Salem, NC. Dennis was a loving, encouraging and supportive husband, father, grandfather, uncle and friend who will be missed by all who knew him. Dennis is survived by his wife of 52 years, Francine (Kendzia), originally of Niagara Falls, NY; their devoted children; son, Dennis (Leah) Chriss of Ft. Mill, SC; their daughters, Carolyn (late Brian) Robertson of Scottsdale, AZ, Shari (Chris) Whicker of Roanoke, VA, and Elizabeth (Brock) Epps of Lake Junaluska, NC; and their ten beautiful grandchildren, Noah Grace Robertson, Emory Ann Robertson, Lynden Elizabeth Whicker, Leyton David Whicker, Brady Dennis Epps, Morgan Martie Epps, Kendzi Francine Epps, Charlie Elizabeth Epps, Remy Kyle Chriss and Crew William Chriss. He is also survived by his brothers, Jim (Jill) Chriss of Sonoma Valley, CA, and Gary (Sharon) Chriss of North Tonawanda, NY; his loving brothers-in-law, Robert (Barbara) Kendzia, Walter (Mary-Lee) Kendzia and his sister in-law Jerauldine (late Frank) Amendola. Dennis is also survived by many loving nieces and nephews.

Dennis was predeceased by his mother and father, Walter and Stephanie Chriss, his mother and father-in-law, Walter J. and Gladys Kendzia, as well as his nephew, Robert W. Kendzia II and niece, Susan Page (Thomas) Cadille.

In the spirit of our Dad’s generous heart, as his wishes were to always to save the lives of others by donating his organs, we will be donating his body to medical education and research, with the hopes that more is learned about the incredibly devastating and complex disease that is Dementia.

In lieu of flowers, please love a little harder, laugh a little louder, and shake hands like you mean it.

Donations in his name can also be made to Carilion Clinic Hospice at https://carilionfoundation.org/hospice.