Dennis Roy Pietrini, 76, of Hinsdale, passed away peacefully April 5, 2022, surrounded by his family and friends after a long and brave battle with Parkinson’s.
Dennis grew up in River Grove and attended East Leyden High School. He earned his bachelor’s degree at the University of Illinois and his DDS degree from the University of Illinois at Chicago. He opened his own dental practice and faithfully served his patients and community for 42 years at Franklin Park Dental Associates. He was one of the first dentists to use a laser when conducting dental procedures. He dedicated his time and effort to training various dental personnel from 30 plus countries around the world. He was also the 2001 president of the Academy of Laser Dentistry.
Dennis’ dedication to his country and community included serving as a lieutenant in the U.S. Navy and giving back to many Italian American charities. He served as president of Casa Italia, and he received many awards throughout his life, including the 1998 Italian Cultural Center’s Man of the Year Award, induction into Leyden High School’s Wall of Fame and the 2013 Chicagoland Italian American Charitable Organization’s Humanitarian Man of the Year Award. He was also an avid golfer. Dennis spent decades trying to master his golf game on golf courses throughout this country and across the globe.
Dennis will be remembered as a devoted husband, loving father, and doting grandfather. He was a great listener, a jokester to his core, a caring and thoughtful friend to many, and he made everyone he met feel special because he was humble, kind and never shy to tell you how much you meant to him.
He is survived by his wife Elaine; his children, Jennie (Roy) and Debby (Michael); his grandchildren, Lily, Joey, Dylan, and Drew; his siblings, Rich (Angie), Janet, and Bob (Marie); his great-uncles, Joe and Vince (the late Kathy); his great-aunts, Angie and Rose (the late Fritz); his nieces and nephews, Joe (Katy), Tony (Michelle), Tom (Lauren) and Rob (Eleni); countless cousins; and many dear friends.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Samuel and Millie Pietrini.
Visitation will be held from 4 to 8 p.m. Friday, April 8, at Adolf Funeral Home, 7000 S. Madison St., Willowbrook.
A funeral service will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday, April 9 at Christ Church of Oak Brook, 501 Oak Brook Road, Oak Brook.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made online to the Parkinson’s Foundation at https://www.parkinson.org, or the Michael J. Fox Foundation at https://www.michaeljfox.org.
