Obituary of Dennen J. Bunger

Dennen J. Bunger, Sr. – 90, passed from this world on June 18, 2016 attended by family who wish to give thanks for the prayers of many and the intercession of the Blessed Mother Mary, whom they believe aided him with a peaceful death. May the Lord Jesus forgive his sins and choose to save him for eternal life. Born second, blue-skinned and in peril to his mother who did not know she was carrying twins, he was named after the pediatrician who saved his life – Dr. Edwin Dennen. He grew up in northeastern New Jersey – four miles from his future wife, Loretta Mosher, whom he met and married when they were both in their early 20's. They shared life together for 67 years, until her death in 2014. He lost his twin brother Arthur to diabetes in 1977. Den was guided by a faith in Jesus Christ passed on to him by his loving parents. From an early age, he showed a keen interest in becoming a pilot. While this vocational vision was only partially realized, he did become a fine aeronautical engineer – working for Bendix and later Parker Aerospace. With over a dozen patents to his credit, he traveled five continents in support of his and his co-worker's inventions, primarily the air-turbine starter for jet engines. Aircraft with those units are still in use throughout the world today. Devoted to his family, he was also a long-term member of St. Mary's Church in Clinton (and previously St. Paul's in Whitesboro) where he served in various roles including Parish Council chairperson. He was a Boy Scout leader for several years in the 1960's. His grandchildren were a continuing source of happiness for him as he was for them. Recreationally, he enjoyed golf, bridge, charcoal & pastel artwork in his younger years - also, reading, westerns and family outings in the Adirondacks. In his last years, his resilience in coping with a number of disabilities surprised many. The family is deeply grateful to his numerous caregivers, including: Nakia, Rachel, Hawah, Ericka, Julene, Dawn, Brenda Mathis and Dianne French. Thanks go out to his previous co-worker Mike Miles for his friendship with Dennen over the last year and ½ and the parish of St. John's for their kind hospitality during the same period. He is survived by his three sons, Denn (and Moyra) Bunger of Manlius, Fr. Kevin Bunger of New Hartford and Clark Mills, John (and Deborah) Bunger of Clinton; five grandchildren, Jason (and Nikki), Adam, Kaitlin, Taryn and Jordan; and two great grandchildren, Sydney and Griffon. There are numerous relatives in New Jersey and Texas. As Mass will be offered for Dennen on Saturday, June 25th at 9:45 a.m. a St. John the Evangelist Church in New Hartford immediately followed by a reception in the gymnasium at the Church of the Annunciation in Clark Mills. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to the "Angels Among Us Food Pantry" c/o St. John's Church - 66 Oxford Road – New Hartford, NY 13413.