Dennis Garrison-12-4-2021

Dennis Allen Garrison, the son of the late Emmett Beard and Rosalie Parker, was born in Baltimore, Maryland on January 2, 1944. He grew up in the New Brunswick N.J. area, attending local schools, where he graduated from New Brunswick High school in 1961.

Following high school, he attended classes at Livingston College of Rutgers University. From there he became more active in community affairs and increased his engagement in civic matters.  He went on to head the Black Steering Education Committee and eventually assumed the Board Presidency of the Urban League of Greater New Brunswick from 1969 – 1970.

He began a career working in youth counseling for the New York City Department of Education where he was based in the South Bronx. His passion for youth continued as he furthered his profession with the New Jersey Division of Youth and Family Services, where he coordinated the Breaking Away Program. This work involved assisting disengaged youth, teaching life skills, locating housing, mentoring, and referral services. Dennis went on to work as a Substance Abuse Counselor in various high schools. He attained his Substance Abuse Counseling certification and began to counsel adults. The various programs included the state of New Jersey’s Intoxicated Driver Resource Center Offender Program, The Open-Door Adults Detox Program, as well as the Center of Love Substance Abuse Program. He then went on to work as a substance abuse counselor at the Monmouth County Department of Corrections where he later retired. Dennis was known for his love, honesty, and compassion toward people throughout his career.

His first marriage produced four sons: Maurice, Dennis Allen II, Darrin (wife Jackie) and Darnell.  From this union came 15 grandchildren along with great grandchildren. Dennis met his second wife Beverly who brought a daughter Dawn to that union and one grandson. They remained married through the remainder of his life.

Dennis was affectionately known as “The Bear” in his youth and enjoyed various hobbies with his children and grandchildren. He enjoyed photography, swimming, board games, he even thought he was a pinochle champion and an avid fisherman until he was overtaken by seasickness and threw his gear into ocean. Give him a fish sandwich and the boardwalk and he was set.

Dennis was known as a man of God who loved the Lord. He was affectionately known to be a gentle giant, man of few words, quick witted with a kind and loving heart. In addition to his loving wife Beverly and the previously mentioned sons, daughter and grandchildren, Dennis leaves an Aunt Shirley Sillekens (Queens, NY) and a sister Zakiyia Forbes (New Brunswick) as well as a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, and close friends to cherish his loving memory.

The family would like to extend a special thanks to his professional care giver, personal nurse (daughter) and medical team that took care of him with such love. Tiger will miss you too.