The service for Dennis was held at the Forest Lawn South funeral chapel (actually, a large pyramid) at 1 PM Friday June 17 at the Forest Lawn cemetery west of Ft. Lauderdale. It went very well and was very well attended -- there was almost a full house. In addition to the Burke family and most of the Miami Beach office staff, Capt’s Neil, Stuart, and Brent, many members of the Windjammer passenger “family”, and a large contingent from the Legacy crew were in attendance. As requested by Dennis, virtually everyone was dressed in bright, island-style or Windjammer clothing. Colleen and the family had arranged a wonderful display of Dennis memories at the front of the chapel, complete with pictures, old music programs, and a few guitars. A local pastor officiated and did a very nice job. Neil provided an outstanding eulogy that was obviously very heartfelt. (In my humble opinion, he may have missed his calling, and I suggested to him afterwards that perhaps he should give up the real estate business and consider the ministry. He really was THAT good!) Many of Dennis’s family members also stood up and provided some great remembrances and recollections. In closing, the pastor compared Denny to a lighthouse, a man who was essentially indestructible and unflappable in life’s storms, whose life and bright personality served as a beacon and guide to all who knew him. It was a very nicely done service.<br>
<br>
Afterwards, all the attendees were invited to Dennis and Colleen’s home in Pembroke Pines for food and refreshments, and with the exception of the Legacy folks, who had a shipload of passengers to take out to sea, most everyone else accepted the invitation. It was a very nice gathering, with lots of food and drink and many fond recollections and stories about Denny being shared. It was his kind of party.<br>
<br>
In addition to thanking all those who had come to the service, Colleen wanted to thank the many, many people who sent cards, letters, and pictures to Dennis during his stay in the hospital. She said it made a difficult time much more acceptable to him knowing how many people were out there pulling for him.<br>
<br>
I’ve posted a few pictures of the afternoon at <!--EZCODE AUTOLINK START--><a href="http://community.webshots.com/album/374096266fnqEXn">community.webshots.com/al...6266fnqEXn</a><!--EZCODE AUTOLINK END--><br>
<br>
Finally, this is the obituary that was in the Miami Herald:<br>
                <br>
<br>
NEWSON, DENNIS, age 53, of Pembroke Pines, passed away Saturday, June 11th, after a courageous battle with Leukemia. Dennis worked for Windjammer Barefoot Cruises for over 25 years as the Fleet Electronics Engineer. Born in London, England, he was raised from the age of 5 in Ottawa, Ontario, Canada. He is survived by his wife, Colleen; and his son Michael, age 15; mother Ellen Newson; and brothers, Raymond (Bonnie) and Brian (Beth). Also, niece and nephews, Andrea, Jeff, Neil & Scott & Brother-in-Law, Steve Larsen. A Memorial Service will be held at Forest Lawn Funeral Home South, 2401 SW 64th Ave, Fort Lauderdale at 1 p.m. on Friday, June 17th (the Pyramid at I-595 & Davie Rd Exit). Requested attire is completely informal: jeans, t- shirts, Hawaiian shirts, etc., no suits, no black please. In lieu of flowers, donations to the American Cancer Society would be greatly appreciated. To visit this Guest Book Online, go to http://www.herald.com/obituaries. <br>
Published in The Miami Herald on 6/17/2005. <br>
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<p></p><i></i>

Thanks, Bill.<br>
<br>
The reports from you and Cindy have helped those of us unable to attend to share in the moment.<br>
<br>
We will certainly share a moment to remember Dennis again in a few weeks at Jammerfest.<br>
<br>
Dellie <p></p><i></i>

I really appreciate your posting this Bill...Thanks <p><font color = green>WineFrog <BR> <img src=http://Jammerbabe.com/images/Smiley/frog3.gif><img src=http://jammerbabe.com/images/Smiley/shaker.gif> Work like you don't need the money, Love like you've never been hurt and dance like nobodys watching!!!</p><i></i>

Thank you so much Bill <!--EZCODE EMOTICON START :hug --><img src=http://jammerbabe.com/images/Smiley/hug.gif ALT=":hug"><!--EZCODE EMOTICON END--> <p>TamBo<!--EZCODE BR START--><br /><!--EZCODE BR END--><!--EZCODE IMAGE START--><img src="http://www.jammerbabe.com/images/gifs/icon_pirate-doll.gif"/><!--EZCODE IMAGE END--></p><i></i>

Bill.<br>
<br>
Thanks so much for posting and the pictures also. I felt as if I was there.<br>
<br>
<!--EZCODE EMOTICON START :yankeedee --><img src=http://www.jammerbabe.com/images/gifs/icon_hammock2.gif ALT=":yankeedee"><!--EZCODE EMOTICON END--> <p></p><i></i>

Unfortunately I can't veiw them...<!--EZCODE EMOTICON START :blue --><img src=http://jammerbabe.com/images/Smiley/blue.gif ALT=":blue"><!--EZCODE EMOTICON END--> <p>TamBo<!--EZCODE BR START--><br /><!--EZCODE BR END--><!--EZCODE IMAGE START--><img src="http://www.jammerbabe.com/images/gifs/icon_pirate-doll.gif"/><!--EZCODE IMAGE END--></p><i></i>

Bill, Thanks for the report and the pictures.<br>
<br>
Thanks to all that went for standing in for those of us that did not attend. <br>
<br>
...and because I am unable to post without some humor...in the picture of Steve, Mikey and the trampoline.....doesn't Steve look like he's thinking "hmm, if I take this shaker on there, I can make the ultimate martini!" <p><!--EZCODE IMAGE START--><img src="http://jammerbabe.com/images/Smiley/beach3.gif" style="border:0;"/><!--EZCODE IMAGE END--> <br>
</p><i></i>

Now, I <!--EZCODE ITALIC START--><em>have</em><!--EZCODE ITALIC END--> to see that one.... <!--EZCODE EMOTICON START ;) --><img src=http://www.ezboard.com/intl/aenglish/images/emoticons/wink.gif ALT=";)"><!--EZCODE EMOTICON END--> <p>TamBo<!--EZCODE BR START--><br /><!--EZCODE BR END--><!--EZCODE IMAGE START--><img src="http://www.jammerbabe.com/images/gifs/icon_pirate-doll.gif"/><!--EZCODE IMAGE END--></p><i></i>

Tammy,<br>
<br>
Try going to the top of my album listing at <!--EZCODE AUTOLINK START--><a href="http://community.webshots.com/user/rocketscientist">community.webshots.com/us...tscientist</a><!--EZCODE AUTOLINK END--> and then going to page three, where you'll find that album.<br>
<br>
-- Bill <p></p><i></i>

Thanks Bill for posting report and pictures.<br>
<br>
Mike <p></p><i></i>

Sorry Bill, but I have this thing called a firewall <!--EZCODE EMOTICON START :grumble --><img src=http://jammerbabe.com/images/Smiley/grumble.gif ALT=":grumble"><!--EZCODE EMOTICON END--> ...<!--EZCODE EMOTICON START :headwall --><img src=http://jammerbabe.com/images/Smiley/headwall.gif ALT=":headwall"><!--EZCODE EMOTICON END--> <br>
Could you send me some <!--EZCODE EMOTICON START :camera --><img src=http://jammerbabe.com/images/Smiley/camera.gif ALT=":camera"><!--EZCODE EMOTICON END--> <!--EZCODE EMOTICON START :please --><img src=http://www.jammerbabe.com/images/Smiley/please.gif ALT=":please"><!--EZCODE EMOTICON END--> ! <!--EZCODE EMOTICON START :realbighug --><img src=http://www.jammerbabe.com/images/Smiley/realbighug.gif ALT=":realbighug"><!--EZCODE EMOTICON END--> <!--EZCODE EMOTICON START :bigkiss --><img src=http://jammerbabe.com/images/Smiley/bigkiss.gif ALT=":bigkiss"><!--EZCODE EMOTICON END--> <p>TamBo<!--EZCODE BR START--><br /><!--EZCODE BR END--><!--EZCODE IMAGE START--><img src="http://www.jammerbabe.com/images/gifs/icon_pirate-doll.gif"/><!--EZCODE IMAGE END--></p><i></i>

<!--EZCODE EMOTICON START :bighug --><img src=http://www.jammerbabe.com/images/Smiley/bighug.gif ALT=":bighug"><!--EZCODE EMOTICON END--> Thanks, Bill. The photos were great. <!--EZCODE EMOTICON START :cry --><img src=http://jammerbabe.com/images/Smiley/mecry.gif ALT=":cry"><!--EZCODE EMOTICON END--> <p><!--EZCODE FONT START--><span style="color:blue;">*************<br>
<br>
Tracey Tiana<br>
<!--EZCODE ITALIC START--><em>Professional Transient</em><!--EZCODE ITALIC END--><br>
<br>
*************</span><!--EZCODE FONT END--><br>
<br>
<!--EZCODE IMAGE START--><img src="http://jammerbabe.com/images/gifs/icon_hut.gif" style="border:0;"/><!--EZCODE IMAGE END--></p><i></i>

Very nice, Bill, thank you....<br>
<br>
<!--EZCODE EMOTICON START :caribqueen --><img src=http://jammerbabe.com/images/Smiley/swim.gif ALT=":caribqueen"><!--EZCODE EMOTICON END--> <p></p><i></i>

<!--EZCODE EMOTICON START :ditto --><img src=http://www.jammerbabe.com/images/Smiley/ditto.gif ALT=":ditto"><!--EZCODE EMOTICON END--> <br>
<!--EZCODE EMOTICON START :thanks --><img src=http://jammerbabe.com/images/Smiley/thanks.gif ALT=":thanks"><!--EZCODE EMOTICON END--> <p><!--EZCODE IMAGE START--><img src="http://www.jammerbabe.com/images/gifs/icon_feet2.jpg" style="border:0;"/><!--EZCODE IMAGE END--><br>
</p><i></i>

What a beautiful way to celebrate Dennis' life. Thanks for sharing. <p></p><i></i>

Bill, thank you so much for sending the <!--EZCODE EMOTICON START :camera --><img src=http://jammerbabe.com/images/Smiley/camera.gif ALT=":camera"><!--EZCODE EMOTICON END--> to me via email, you are the best. <!--EZCODE EMOTICON START :hug --><img src=http://jammerbabe.com/images/Smiley/hug.gif ALT=":hug"><!--EZCODE EMOTICON END--> <!--EZCODE EMOTICON START :kiss --><img src=http://jammerbabe.com/images/Smiley/kiss.gif ALT=":kiss"><!--EZCODE EMOTICON END--> <br>
It looks as if Denny's Memorial was very special indeed...<!--EZCODE EMOTICON START :angel --><img src=http://jammerbabe.com/images/Smiley/angel2.gif ALT=":angel"><!--EZCODE EMOTICON END--> <p>TamBo<!--EZCODE BR START--><br /><!--EZCODE BR END--><!--EZCODE IMAGE START--><img src="http://www.jammerbabe.com/images/gifs/icon_pirate-doll.gif"/><!--EZCODE IMAGE END--></p><i></i>