Dennis Alex Pavluk

Dennis Alex Pavluk, born February 21, 1949, died at the age of 75, on November 29, 2024 surrounded by his family. 

Dennis grew up in Cleveland, OH with his three sisters, Sherry, Sandy and Ellen and his brother, Johnny. He graduated from Nordonia Hills High School in 1967. After high school, he married his first wife, Kathy Rule and had his first son, Dennis, Jr. While studying mechanical engineering in college, he was drafted into the Army in 1970 and sent to Vietnam. He was promoted to Army Specialist four while serving as a mortar crewman in Company B, 1st Battalion, 5th Calvary of the 1st Calvary Division (Airmobile). He was awarded the Bronze Star Medal with the “V” device for Valor in June 1970. While in Cambodia, his unit became engaged and was pinned down by a determined enemy force. With complete disregard for his own safety, he exposed himself to the intense hostile fire as he moved forward, to the point of heaviest fire, and began placing a heavy volume of suppressive fire upon the enemy force. He also received an Army Commendation Medal and an Air Medal, as well as a second Bronze Star Medal in December 1970 for “Meritorious achievement in ground operations against hostile forces”.

After Vietnam, Dennis returned home to Ohio and worked as a machinist, first in his family’s business, Webluk Machining Corp and then with DC Manufacturing before moving to Florida and starting his own business, Amteco Machine and Manufacturing in 1978. Over the years, he built a successful business designing and building parts for the likes of Lockheed Martin and the US Government, including parts for NASA’s Space Shuttle Program. During this time, he and Kathy had three more children, Mary, Dawn and Alex.

In 1984, he married Priscilla (Polly) Mainenti and had son, Frank in 1989 and daughter, Stephanie in 1990. During these years, you could find Dennis and his many friends on his boat, DILLIGAF, fishing in Boca Grand or mooring at Tween Waters Inn on Captiva Island. Many nights were spent telling stories of the fish that got away at the Crowe’s Nest or the Mucky Duck. If you were to really look close at the waters of Tampa Bay or the intercoastal water ways of Captiva, you will find many, many items at the bottom of the water from being tossed overboard, often times just so his best friend, Wayne, could retrieve them.

In the late 90’s, Dennis traded in his boats for tractors after purchasing 800 acres of land in Dixie County. He spent the next decade going off the grid, spending his days building a hunting camp that he shared with others and for his many dogs to run wild. His annual hunting weekend for the Disabled Veterans was a highlight of his year. With the help of his friends, men and women disabled during combat were able to spend a weekend in nature observing and hunting the vast wildlife of Weaner Ranch.

Dennis’ retirement ushered in the era of grandchildren starting with Zoe in 2007 followed by Victor, Jillian, Jacob and Wyatt. Sunday dinners at Grumpy’s house were loud and boisterous as the kids ran around the house and the playground he built in his backyard. With the smell of whatever was cooking on the grill, choruses of “pot’s light” could be heard coming from the garage as the adults played poker.

His last years were spent in Riverview, Florida where he could be seen driving his tractor around the neighborhood helping anyone in need or, when picking up his granddaughters from school, driving with a Trump flag on his truck up on the sidewalks of Riverview daring anyone to stop him and send him back to Vietnam. Everyone in the neighborhood enjoyed his many stories and he served as the grand marshal, dressed as Santa, in the community’s annual Christmas Golf Cart Parade. He will be missed.

Dennis is preceded in death by his mother: Sarah Corr; his sisters: Sherry Gray and Sandy Coleman; his brother: John Pavluk; and his brother in-law: Wayne Coleman. Also joining him at the Rainbow Bridge are his many beloved dogs: Titan, Trixie, Zeus, Ripley, Jamie, Mikey, Lillian, Rogue and Yogi.

He is survived by wife: Polly; children: Dennis (Jennifer), Mary (Todd), Dawn (Jason), Alex, Frank (Leslie) and Stephanie (Zach); grandchildren: Zoe, Victor, Jillian, Jacob, Wyatt, London, Holden and Hemingway; sister: Ellen (Tim); many nephews and nieces; and many, many friends.

Visitation and Funeral Service will take place Wed. Dec 11, 2024 at South Shore United Methodist Church located at: 11525 Big Bend Road, Riverview, FL 33579.  The family will receive friends on Wednesday, Dec. 11, 2024 from 5-7p and the funeral service will begin at 7p.