John Joseph Denice of Severna Park, a beloved member of our community, passed away peacefully on September 8, 2025, surrounded by his cherished family. He was 94 years old and hailed from Jersey City, New Jersey. John was the son of John and Charlotte (nee McKee) Denice, from Jersey City, New Jersey.

John's passing leaves behind a legacy of love and joy. He is survived by his devoted wife, Marie Devine Denice, and their two loving daughters, Patricia Denice and Karen Denice, both residing in New York City, and John Denice and wife Deborah of Virginia. He is also survived by his son-in-law, Justin McCarty, and his daughters-in-law, Linda McCarty and Kathy Wiandt as well as three grandsons David, Kevin and Greg Denice and Greg's wife Cassie and their children. He was predeceased by his daughter Teresa Denice McCarty and son Mark.

John's journey began on April 5, 1931, in Jersey City, New Jersey. He graduated from St. Aloysius High School in 1948 and later attended Jersey City Junior College. His passion for learning led him to the University of Colorado, where he participated in many activities, including ROTC, and graduated in 1953 joining the Air Force.

While stationed at McGuire Air Force Base in New Jersey, he met a lovely girl named Marie at a USO dance. Once married they had their first child, John Joseph. After New Jersey John was assigned to Prestwick Air Base in Scotland and became the father of Teresa Marie and Mark Thomas. While in Scotland John and Marie began what became a life-long love of travel by touring Europe as much as possible. Following Scotland, he was assigned to the University of Minnesota to teach ROTC. While there, he became a father again when Patricia Marie was born. He left his family for a year when he was assigned an isolated tour in Thailand where he was frequently flown into Vietnam. He returned to the states when he was assigned to Scott Air Force Base in Illinois, where he became a father for the fifth and final time when Karen Marie was born. Many Sundays after Mass, he took the family to the St. Louis zoo and to see the Arch. The Air Force then sent John to Michigan State University for a Master's in Business Administration where he embraced the seventies by growing out his crew cut and mustache. His next assignment was in Germany, where he took the family on frequent roadtrips across Europe, including the Netherlands to see the tulips and windmills, Austria to see the salt mines and Lipizzaners, and to learn to ski. His last assignment was Langley Air Force Base, where he retired from the Air Force.

After the Air Force the family moved to Berrywood in Severna Park and John became the Comptroller of University of Maryland Baltimore County (UMBC) from 1975 to 1997, where he was a true champion of the school helping them grow into the school of today. He was also a passionate supporter of athletics, especially the women's basketball team. In addition to UMBC sports, John was a big fan of Navy football, holding season tickets for more than 20 years and continuing to root for the Blue and Gold until his last days.

A lifelong runner, John's love of athletics began in high school. He won medals at prestigious events like the Seton Hall College relays, NJOSAA Championship, NJCSAA Championships, Seton Hall Cross Country Championships, and the 880 relay at the New Jersey Indoor Inter-Scholastic Relay Carnival. He was also part of a running lunch group at UMBC and while his children Mark and Patricia were at Severna Park High School, he would drive them to their morning running workouts, where he would run alongside Patricia.

After his retirement, he embarked on an incredible journey, traveling and dancing around the world with his beloved wife, Marie, spreading joy and making friends wherever he went.

He was also able to indulge his love of reading, John was a voracious reader and an avid history buff, particularly military history. He was a fan of classic authors like Jane Austen and Louis L'Amour, loved John Wayne and the music of the 40s and 50s, especially Glenn Miller and Frank Sinatra.

John was a true hero to many, providing employment opportunities for those in need, offering a listening ear, supporting his neighbors and even intervening in a kidnapping in a shopping center parking lot. He was a devoted father and husband, always supporting his wife and children in their endeavors.

As a devout Catholic, John served as a Lector, Lay Eucharistic Minister, and member of the Parish Council in both Germany and at St. John the Evangelist in Severna Park.

In lieu of flowers, etc., donations in John's memory are welcome. They can be sent to The UMBC Foundation (832 Administration Building, 1000 Hilltop Circle, Baltimore, MD, 21250. Tax ID 52-1125663), or online at  giving.umbc.edu and designated for the John Denice Scholarship Endowment.

A Memorial Mass will be Celebrated on Monday September 29, 2025 at 1:00pm at St John The Evangelist Roman Catholic Church 689 Ritchie Hwy Severna Park, MD 21146. Interment at MD Veterans Cemetery Crownsville, MD.