In Memory of

Dennis Linn '62 said:

I am Dennis Linn's son Joshua Linn, and I gave the eulogy at my dad's funeral Mass. This is what I wrote about my dad ...

Thank you Fr. Jim and Deacon Jess for celebrating mass today.
And thank you to our family and friends for being here to help
celebrate the life of my dad… my mom’s husband… Dennis Linn.
To share 81 years of a life well lived, simply isn't possible with the
time we have today. But I would like to share a few things about
the amazing man… my dad was.
Dad grew up with very modest means in Minnesota. He was
always a hard worker… getting a job at 12 as a paperboy… and
then at 14, he bussed tables in his uncle’s restaurant.
He would say of his childhood, “my family didn’t have much, but
we always seemed to have what we needed.”
In high school, Dad finished third in the State Championships for
parallel bars – he had incredible strength… even in his last days.
He proudly served in the Navy. After marrying and divorcing
once… he then married the love of his life, my mom.
When I look at pictures of my dad... his biggest smiles were
always reserved for mom. He absolutely adored Mom.
Dad worked for ITT before starting a successful business of his
own. He lived a full life… going on family adventures, helping
people where he could, and starting a family that today totals:
seven children,
sixteen grandchildren,
and six great grandchildren.
As our family gathered around my dad on Thanksgiving weekend,
praying him up to heaven… we all agreed that one of the most
remarkable gifts our dad gave us, was his time.
Dad was always there for us. . . he was always PRESENT.
That is a gift that can be lost on many of us – but not my dad.
Dad coached the Blue Bonnet’s girls’ soccer team… and many of
the boys’ sports teams that followed.
Wendy recalled how dad would always jump up and cheer every
time David skied by the houseboat. Something he later did for the
grandkids too.
He helped us start businesses and navigate life’s challenges.
Even in the loss of Jake, there was dad, being the rock that my
mom needed him to be.
Thank you, dad, for always being present – what an incredible gift
you gave us all.
I have lately wondered, if dad were to return from heaven for a few
minutes, what would he tell us all here today?
My dad would tell us… “Your mom was right.”
He would say that… “Your mom was right
about how unimaginably beautiful heaven is.”
He would tell us how all our family are there waiting for us: his
parents Walter & Helen, his brother Dave. Great Grandpa Neil and
Great Grandma Cathy, Bob, Jake, Grandpa Frank, and Uncle Steve.
Dad would tell us that our life’s goal should be only this…
Get ourselves… and our Children… to HEAVEN.
My dad seemed to always have a list – it helped him to remember.
When he went to the grocery store, Powell, Mammoth, camping…
he seemed to have a list. So I imagine he’d have a list for us today.
First - Dad would tell us all to LAUGH and SMILE more often.
Dad loved to laugh. He loved telling jokes, hearing jokes, playing
jokes. He found humor in cutting a deck of cards when we played
cribbage, often saying with a smile and a laugh…
“You know, I am in the best position.”
Once, while hiking above our home in Newbury Park, dad thought
it would be funny to go far ahead and hide behind a bush… leaving
Michael, Napper the dog, and me to wonder where he
disappeared to. A moment later, there was dad, jumping to his
feet as he had unknowingly sat on a cactus leaf.
Even in that moment, he just laughed. Then he proceeded to
gingerly walk back down the mountain so mom could help remove
the needles from his pants.

Dennis Linn '62 posted a photo:

Joshua eulogy continued...

Next - Dad would tell us to live with GRATITUDE.
Maybe it was his humble beginnings, but my dad never once
quipped about what he was missing. Dad was never jealous of
others… He was never greedy. Dad found peace in the simple
things… his home, his job, being with his family, or just sitting in
the backyard after work with his glass of wine and the BBQ on.
Dad would tell us to GIVE when you can – TIME or TRESURE.
He would remind us that in Heaven… money and material items
have no value. The real treasures are the ones we create by giving.
For my dad, that was hosting Friday night dinners, showing up at
our life’s events, giving what he could to his favorite charities, or
just sitting down and listening.
It is said, the kindness we give to others is like a rock thrown into a
lake – the ripple effects reach far beyond our initial target.
I remember a Life Centers dinner where they unveiled a
fundraising initiative for a new Mobile Ultrasound Van. Dad was
one of the first to raise his hand to offer support. I often wonder,
how many babies were saved because of that single act of charity.
Dad would tell us to LEAD WITH our GOD GIVEN TALENTS – whatever they may be.
If you dance or fly planes, swim or play ball, make art, do theater
or care for animals… whatever your gift may be... don’t waste it.
We each have a special gift that God has entrusted to us.
One of my dad’s gifts was his leadership.
For many of us here today, we remember the family’s bi-annual
pilgrimage through the desert to Lake Powell.
Dad was the family’s “leader.” He always took it upon himself to
ensure every family member made it safely- to and from the lake.
He made sure every van had its CB radio set to the correct channel.
He made sure that the boats which had been loaded with enough
supplies to feed a small country and well beyond the trailer’s
engineered limits, were loaded just right.
He checked tire pressures, oil levels and reminded everyone to fill
up their gas tanks at every stop.
One year, our van was having radiator issues before the trip.
Dad knew that running the AC, and the stress of towing the boat
through Baker, CA when it was 110 degrees outside, would likely
cause his van to overheat.
But giving the burden of the trailer to another van was never
discussed. Yes, dad did grumble a bit, mostly about the mechanic
who installed an undersized radiator… but he embraced it.
So, there we were, windows down in the August heat… each of us
kids had a spray bottle in hand, misting away to help stay cool.
We were the only car on the road that day with our windows down.
And the van became a mix of an oven and a tropical rainstorm.
Dad wouldn’t have it any other way.
Finally… and most importantly… Dad would tell us all today…
Find your FAITH and LIVE IT.
My dad had a long journey in finding his faith. He grew up a non
practicing Lutheran. After marrying mom, he attended Catholic
Mass with all of us… but he never participated in Holy Communion
or any of the other sacraments.
At one point, Dad even stopped attending Mass altogether.
But thanks in large part to mom’s persistent prayers… Fr. Jim’s
guidance… and the holy spirit… Dad decided that it was time to
discern becoming Catholic... To live the FAITH Christ gave us.
It was a journey that dad walked quietly… very similar to how he
passed. While he never talked much about it, dad did take it very
seriously.
He attended OCIA. He asked tough questions. He found the truth.
In February 2017, at the age of 72, Dad officially became Catholic.
Even when choosing his Confirmation saint, dad gave it his full
attention… ultimately choosing Saint Philip Neri. Dad said he
chose St. Philip, because like my dad, St. Philip Neri was known
for his sense of humor.
I'm not sure my dad ever truly contemplated the effects he had in
this world… but in his own way, he bettered the lives of many.
We will miss him cooking on his grill for the “multitudes” … sharing
stories from his Navy days… or just sitting in the backyard talking.
As “dad’s” go, God truly blessed our family with one of the best.
On the night of dad’s passing, we all sat in the room with him.
Christian had walked in and sat next to dad on the bed.
I asked Christian, “What would you like to tell grandpa?”
After what seemed like a long moment of contemplation, Christian
said very thoughtfully... “Welcome to your new home.”
Thank you Dad… and “Welcome to your new home.”