**
Dennis L. Rinaldi
April 8, 2015
Dennis L. Rinaldi, 91, of Stroudsburg,
formerly of Henryville, died April 8, at Pocono Medical Center in East
Stroudsburg. He was the husband of the late Ellen (Hughes) Rinaldi who passed
away Dec. 22, 2001. They were married for 56 years at the time of her death.
Born Aug. 14, 1923, in Roseto, he was the son
of the late Leonard and Lucy (Sabetti) Rinaldi and has been a Monroe County
resident since 1958.
Dennis enlisted in the U.S. Navy in January
1941 and retired after 30 years of service. Most of the ships he served on were
destroyers serving in the North Atlantic and Asiatic Pacific during World War
II and the Korean Conflict. He earned the Good Conduct Medal with the first and
second award with three Bronze Stars, the American Defense Medal with the Fleet
Bar with a Bronze Star, the American Campaign Medal, the World War Victory
Medal, the Asiatic Pacific Medal with two Bronze Stars and the Korean Conflict
Medal.
After retirement, Rinaldi worked for the
Pocono Mountain School District. He was the maintenance engineer for the
Holiday Inn on Route 447 in East Stroudsburg and a utility plant operator in
the boiler room at East Stroudsburg University, retiring in January 1986.
He was on the fire crew at the Pocono
International Race Way working the first race and several other races. He was a
life member of the Stroud Township Fire Department, serving as a Lieutenant and
Engineer. A member of the Four County Fireman's Association, he served with the
Monroe County Police Reserves and the Monroe County Civil Defense Police. He
was also a Deputy Constable and a Pennsylvania State Constable for 16 years
having served in Monroe and Paradise townships.
Dennis was a life member of Police Lodge 74 in
Stroudsburg, the Fraternal Order of Eagles Aerie 1106 in Stroudsburg, and VFW
Post 2540 in East Stroudsburg. He was responsible for the Veterans Memorial
that was placed in front of the VFW Post 2504 in 1997. Dennis was a Charter
member of the Mount Bethel Portland American Legion Post 216 in Portland. He
served as first and second vice commander for eight years. He was committee chairman
and treasurer for the replacement of a new World War II Honor Roll in Portland
and the update and replacement for the new Veterans Memorial, November 11, 1994
in Portland. Then he transferred to the George N. Kemp American Legion Post 346
in East Stroudsburg and served as post service officer sergeant at arms, post
executive board and president of home association. He was a member of the Fleet
Reserve Association Branch 115 in Allentown, and was active in the U.S. Navy
Recruiting District Assistance Council of Stroudsburg, Pittsburgh, Philadelphia
and Buffalo, N.Y.
He was a Plank Owner of the U.S. Navy Memorial
Washington, DC, the USS Noa DD-841, the USS Manley DD-940 and the USS Toledo
CA-133, and was a member of the Tin Can Sailors Association in Summerset, Mass.
Dennis served aboard the USS Galveston CLG3 in 1959 and 1960.
 |
| Dennis at home |
Surviving are two sons, Richard Rinaldi of
Scranton and Dennis Rinaldi of Gouldsboro; daughter, Lisa Lesoine of East
Stroudsburg; eight grandchildren; nine great-grandchildren; and one
great-great-granddaughter. He was preceded in death by brother, Leonard Rinaldi
Jr., and two sisters, Mary Gallagher and Rose Mosier.
The picture at top right is of Dennis and his grand-daughter, Amber, preparing to leave for his fireman's banquet about two weeks before his peaceful passing. Dennis was buried in this uniform: his original uniform. A squared away sailor to the end.
