Dennis William Bernitt of Hankins, NY, died on Wednesday, December 13, 2023 at his home. He was 76.

The son of the late Willis and Agnes Lennon Bernitt, he was born June 5, 1947 in Callicoon, NY. He was married to Kathleen Gavitt Bernitt.

Dennis and his wife Kathy operated Bernitt’s Store in Hankins from 1980 to 1997. After that Dennis worked for Fox Ledge Spring Water for 20 years before retiring.
Dennis proudly served his country during the Vietnam War in the U.S. Army. He was a member of the Hankins Fire Department and served as Chief for fifteen years. He was an Elder at the Hortonville Presbyterian Church, was the Town of Fremont Representative on the Upper Delaware Council, a member of the Cochecton Preservation Society, a member of the 143rd New York Volunteers Civil War reenactment group and a member of Allan Milk VFW Post in Long Eddy, NY.

He is survived by his wife Kathleen Gavitt Bernitt at home, his children Kevin Bernitt (Morgan) of Hortonville, NY; Scott Bernitt (Shannon) of Grand Island, NE; Tonya Dirie (Mike) of Hortonville; and Lara Bernitt Mota (Penera) of Pinellas Park, FL; seven grandchildren Tyler Bernitt (Mandy) of Winder, GA; Brett Dirie (Jordan) of Buffalo, NY; Corey Dirie of Hortonville; Pvt. Mikayla Dirie of Fort Sill, OK; Amaia Morales of Equinunk, PA; and Weverton Mota and Wallison Mota of Pinellas Park; two great-grandchildren Milles and Darla Morrow; and his best four-legged buddy Gismo. He is also survived by his sister Barbara Hahl (Jimmy) and brother Michael Bernitt and several nieces and nephews.

In addition to his parents, he was predeceased by his brother Kenneth Bernitt.

Friends can call on Thursday, December 21 from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. and 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. at Stewart-Murphy Funeral Home in Callicoon, NY. Funeral services will be held Friday, December 22 at 11 a.m. at the Hortonville Presbyterian Church in Hortonville. Virginia Bossley will officiate. Interment will follow at the Hortonville Cemetery in Hortonville.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made to the Hortonville Presbyterian Church or the Upper Delaware Ambulance Corps.

Funeral arrangements have been entrusted to Stewart-Murphy Funeral Home, Callicoon, NY 845/887-4900. To send condolences or for directions, visit stewartmurphyfh.com.