Dennis George Olver

Dennis G. Olver, “Denny” to his friends and family, passed away suddenly on Tuesday, September 18, 2018.  He was 59 years old in March and really loved music.  His signature song in the 80s was Mac the Knife, and anything Frank Sinatra sang was the best song ever.  He could sing most mo-town tunes acapella, and often sang at the top of his lungs while getting ready for bed.

Denny began his life in Highlandtown, the only child of James Hunter Olver and Lorraine Meyer Olver, and he grew up playing in the alley behind his house with neighbors who would become his best friends for his entire life.  Whether it was Phil, Bob, or David Wohlfort, Jimmie Deene, or Robby Dice, if they were outside Denny wanted to go play.

Denny’s immediate family was fairly small.  It was just him, his mother and father in his father’s family home in the 600 block of South East Avenue. But his extended family was quite big.  His family took regular summer vacations in Ocean City with his Uncle Larry, Aunt Dorothy, their girls Beverly and Carol, and Beverly and Carol’s children, Amy, Robbie, Evan, and Yannett.  He loved his time at the beach.  His greatest memories were of being at the beach with his cousins, and their children.

As Denny grew up, his friends attended elementary school at Sacred Heart of Jesus, and Denny attended at St. Brigid’s.  Nevertheless, they remained fast friends.  Denny went to Calvert Hall College where he learned how to tie a Windsor knot, and made memories that lasted a lifetime.  For the rest of his life the Calvert Hall/Loyola game was a must go for Denny except for the brief period of times in his life when he lived outside of Baltimore.  He was happiest when he could attend with one or more of his friends.

Denny was the first in his family to go to college.  His father had wanted to go to college, but sadly, he reported to battle in the Alsace-Lorraine region of Germany and ended up returning home a short 6 months later, a Purple Heart recipient, with a wound that would result in life-long pain and a pronounced limp.  Denny’s attending Loyola College in Baltimore made his father’s heart sing, something Denny strived to do for Hunter’s entire life.  After graduating Loyola, Denny reported to Houston as member of the Jesuit Volunteer Corps, where he would meet Joseph McGuire, a young man who would become as dear to Denny as his childhood friends were.  In Houston, Denny learned what it was like to have to live with people with whom he had to compromise in order to get things done, he grew a lifelong desire to help those who were unable to do for themselves, whether from illness, poverty, or lack of education.  As much as his parents did, the Jesuit Volunteer Corps formed a core in Denny that spurred him all of his life to help others.

When Denny returned from Houston, he went to work for an organization called CHIMES, which exists to assist people with developmental and behavioral challenges to achieve their fullest potential.  At that time he began volunteering with the Boys and Girls Club of Central Maryland, mentoring a young fatherless boy – times with Aaron were times he cherished dearly.   Shortly thereafter, he went to work for Baltimore Neighborhoods, Inc. where he helped combat racist landlord tenant issues, and met Mrs. Cheeta Shipley, a woman who really turned his desire to help people into his desire to do it through law.

Denny continued his education by going to law school at the University of Baltimore School of Law, where he took classes taught by esteemed judges and attorneys like the honorable Dana Levitz, and the storied attorney, Byron Warnken.  There he met others who helped deepen his love for working for the betterment of others.

While in Law School, Dennis met his wife, who was introduced to him by her best friend who had become engaged to Denny’s JVC friend, Joe.  While their marriage didn’t last, it produced a son, who made Denny the proudest person in the entire world.  James, was named for his paternal grandfather, and quickly became the apple of his grandparents’ eye.  James was born while Denny was clerking for Judge Frederick Price, a Circuit Court judge in Kent County.

Denny was a lifelong resident of Highlandtown.  He inherited his father’s family home on South East Avenue, and a member of St. Brigid’s Church in Highlandtown.  He had his first communion there, he went to school there, he was an altar boy, and as an adult, he was a frequent reader, and became a daily attendee of morning masses.

Denny dreamed of becoming a judge or maybe holding an elective office.  While he never realized those goals, his participation in civic events, and through his work as an attorney he was able to have a positive impact many people’s lives.

Visiting hours at Kaczorowski Funeral Home, P.A., 1201 Dundalk Avenue on Friday, September 28, 2018 from 3-5 & 7-9 P.M.  Funeral Mass in St. Brigid's Church on Saturday, September 29, 2018,  at 10 A.M.  Interment Private. In lieu of flowers, please make donations in Dennis's name to Itineris, Inc., 2050 Rockrose Road, Baltimore, Maryland 21211.  www.itinerisbaltimore.org