Dennis Louis Balthazar Sr

Dennis Louis Balthazar Sr., was called to heaven Oct. 26, 2016. And like one of the melodies he used to strum on his guitar, he lived a simple but beautiful life loving his family and God.
He entered heaven cherished by his children and grandchildren.

Dennis was born on April 24, 1936 into a large Catholic family on the beautiful Hawaiian island of Maui to Joseph and Mary Balthazar where they made their home in the picturesque upcountry town of Makawao. He was of Portuguese and Spanish descent.

Dennis spent much of his early years working in the fields of the local pineapple plantation. Along with that, he maintained the cemetery at his family’s local Catholic church - St. Joseph Church. And of course, Dennis’ passion was strumming his six-string guitar and ukulele. He actually was self-taught and learned to play by ear, and he could strum everyone from Harry Belafonte to Elvis to Johnny Cash.

It was during these early years that Dennis met the girl who would become the love of his life, MaryJane Ferreira of Wailuku. As a young teenager, Dennis - who was extremely shy - struck up a conversation during a show at the now-Historic Iao Theatre and mustered enough courage to hold her hand. It was the start of a love that would last a lifetime.

At 17 years old, Dennis and MaryJane had to part ways as he entered the Army, serving in Korea during peacetime and later being stationed at Fort Ord, Calif., in the Mainland.

He settled in Monterey and met and married his first wife Martha with whom had three beautiful daughters. Danna, Dennise, and Dannette. Dennis kept a special place in his heart for his oldest daughters. There, he became a painter and eventually ran his own paint-contracting business, working up and down the Central and Southern California coasts.

Eventually, Dennis and Martha parted ways, and through a friend, Shirley Carvalho, reunited with his high school sweetheart - MaryJane. They moved to Oceano, California together and had two children: Dennis Jr. and MaryDennise.

In 1976, MaryJane and Dennis married. In 1982, they renewed their vows at St. Gabriel Church in Port Orchard, Washington. Over the years, the couple lived in Central and Southern California, Hawaii and the Northwest.

While in Port Orchard, Dennis worked at the Puget Sound Naval shipyard, maintained his own contracting business and began property management with his wife MaryJane. He also loved his adopted parish of St. Gabriel. During the rainy season that offered little painting work, the church helped connect Dennis with individual jobs, food, even provided Christmas gifts for his family. One of those jobs included painting of Fr. Patrick Oneil’s home, a job which he was both grateful and humble to take.

Throughout his life, Dennis was a devoted husband, father and grandfather. When not working, the couple spent time with family and friends playing music. Dennis taught her to play the ukulele while he played guitar and sang. During family get-togethers, Dennis would be the life of the party, playing music for everyone to enjoy; these memories recalled often by his nieces and nephews throughout the family.

In 2008, the couple joined their children and moved back to Port Orchard, where they would peacefully live out their days. They remained devoted and faithful Catholics. His faith influenced everything from his love for family to the words in his songs - one of his favorite songs to play was a spiritual Johnny Cast tune titled “It Was Jesus.” In his later years, he listened to Sacred Heart Radio religiously.

Ask anyone who knew Dennis, and he or she would tell you that what he cared about most in life was taking care of his family. His eyes lit up when he spoke of his children and grandchildren; he had seven of them. All of them, whether near or far he kept in his heart and prayers.

Two years before Dennis’ passing, his wife peacefully entered heaven. As anyone who knew Dennis would tell you, he undoubtedly is by wife’s side in the Lord’s kingdom.

Dennis L. Balthazar Sr. is survived by sister Barbara Edwards; children Danna, Dennise, Dannette, Dennis Jr., and MaryDennise along with seven grandchildren: Brandon, Haley, Serenety Dawn, Meilani, Leiana, Holi and Jennifer.

Rosary will take place at 1 p.m., Thursday, Nov. 10, 2016, at St. Gabriel Church in Port Orchard, Washington, 1150 Mitchell Ave. Memorial mass will take place 1:30 p.m., with reception to follow.

To honor his wishes, Dennis’ family will fly his ashes home to Maui, where he will be put to rest at his family church and cemetery - St. Joseph Catholic Church in Makawao, Maui.