Dennis Lawrence Guntenhausen, of Sturbridge, MA, passed away quietly at home, following a long illness. Born in Groton, CT, March 10, 1942, Dennis was the loving son of John Frank and Frances Ann (Paulding) Guntenhausen. He grew up in Groton, before relocating to Sturbridge, MA in 1966, where he then lived the rest of his life. 

It was here that he went out to eat at a local diner, and here that he met the kind and beautiful Cheryl Martinez. It was love at first sight, and they were married on July 7th, 1967. Denny and Cheryl had a love anybody could be jealous of. Sure, they had the ups and downs as every couple does, and the sharp corners that life brings everybody, but they travelled these challenges together, with love, thought, and "a little pepper", as Denny would say after a sentence like this. 

Denny was a loving family man, and was always there to lend a hand, whether it be advice to his children, helping a neighbor build a shed, or teaching his grandchildren the art of carpentry to which he was so skilled. Denny was self-employed as a carpenter for many years, and one would say he never really retired. He specialized in structure building, and fine details, two arenas so different, and yet he was so skilled at both. He could build a house, and then make the intricate moldings too! Denny was sent down to Earth to make a difference, and he surely did, through the lives of his family and others. He was a very charitable man, and enjoyed helping the community in any way he could. He was sent back to Heaven after 60 short years. 

Denny will be lovingly remembered by his wife of thirty-six years, the former Cheryl A. Martinez, his only son, David Wayne Guntenhausen of Sturbridge, daughters Veronica (James) Jackson, of Waltham, MA, Sophia (Tim) Wilkes of Naples, FL, CherryAnn (Luke) D'Agostino, of Honesdale, PA, Sydney Guntenhausen, of Honolulu, HI, and Arlene Guntenhausen of Sturbridge. Denny also had seven grandchildren, to which he was always very proud, Georgette, James, Gwendolyn, Henry, Peter, Luke, and Dennis, with one on the way.  Also surviving Denny are three great brothers and their wives, John (Linda) Guntenhausen of Port St. Lucie, FL, Chuck (Cyndie) Guntenhausen of Hartford, CT, and Bob (Donna) Guntenhausen of Groton, CT, his eight loving sisters and their husbands, Alice (Vernon) Elton, of Bedford, MA, Rosemarie (Jimmy) Stoker, of Groton, CT, Gerry Winters, of Nasonville, RI, Karen (the late Lee) Bodien, of Wilmington, DE, Joyce Guntenhausen, of Groton, CT, Laura (Henry) Gray, of Sacramento, CA, Lucille (George) Stracciatolo, of Lowell, MA, and Cecelia (Frederick) Rickert, of Kingston, NY. Also surviving Denny are his father in law, J. M. Martinez, of Waltham, MA, sisters-in laws Darlene Martinez, of Waltham, MA, Joann Martinez Donahue (Bill), of Waltham, MA, Bernice Martinez Stanson (Dave), of Tavernier, FL, and brother in law Eugene Martinez (Lynn), of Tuscon, AZ. Many cousins, nieces, nephews, uncles, and aunts also survive. Denny was predeceased by his parents, a sister, Francine Guntenhausen, and a sister-in-law, Alta Guntenhausen.

No public services will be held for Denny. The family has set up private arrangements. In memory of Denny, please donate to the American Leukemia Society, to help other families like the Guntenhausens.

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