Dennis G. Bohlayer, 65, Captain, USCG (retired), of Ellicott City, MD, passed, March 10, 2017.
He was born in Canton in 1951 and the youngest of three children of Duane Kinch Bohlayer and the late Eunice Tomkins Bohlayer.
Dennis was the beloved husband of Linda Bohlayer; devoted father of Lisa Wissel (Alexander) and Brian Bohlayer (Sara); dear brother of Larry Bohlayer (Sherrie) and Georgia Loder (Walt). He is also survived by three grandchildren, four stepsisters, and many cousins, nieces, and nephews.
As a young man later growing up in Honey Brook, PA, Dennis excelled academically as well as athletically, setting many records as a track and field athlete at Twin Valley High School (Class of
1969) including the Pennsylvania State Class B 880-yard dash, a record which still stands today. His talents took him to the United States Coast Guard Academy, where he was named to the 1971 All- American College Track and Field Team, and later inducted into the USCG Academy Athletic Hall of Fame in 1997.
He was born in Canton in 1951 and the youngest of three children of Duane Kinch Bohlayer and the late Eunice Tomkins Bohlayer.
Dennis was the beloved husband of Linda Bohlayer; devoted father of Lisa Wissel (Alexander) and Brian Bohlayer (Sara); dear brother of Larry Bohlayer (Sherrie) and Georgia Loder (Walt). He is also survived by three grandchildren, four stepsisters, and many cousins, nieces, and nephews.
As a young man later growing up in Honey Brook, PA, Dennis excelled academically as well as athletically, setting many records as a track and field athlete at Twin Valley High School (Class of
1969) including the Pennsylvania State Class B 880-yard dash, a record which still stands today. His talents took him to the United States Coast Guard Academy, where he was named to the 1971 All- American College Track and Field Team, and later inducted into the USCG Academy Athletic Hall of Fame in 1997.
Graduating from the USCG Academy in 1973, Dennis later earned Master’s Degrees in both Civil Engineering and Business, and became a licensed Professional Engineer. He served in the Coast Guard for 24 years, primarily in facilities management positions along the east coast. After retiring with the rank of Captain in 1997, he worked for Towson University in the Facilities Management Department for 19 years. He was instrumental in leading many construction projects that resulted in new and modernized buildings, with an emphasis on energy efficiency.
In recent years, Dennis often returned to the Canton area with Duane usually visiting friends and relatives. In 2014 he watched proudly as Duane was provided a “Hometown Heroes” recognition in the Canton Memorial Day Parade.
This past July, Dennis was the featured speaker at the Ellenton Old Home Days gathering. He provided a truly memorable speech that encompassed the early Tomkins family heritage settling the Ellenton area, his faith, and his research in fighting his cancer. He and Duane provided much in the way of labor in getting the Ellenton Chapel in an improved state for its recent 100th anniversary, including its many windows.
Memorial services were held in Ellicott City, MD and Honey Brook, PA.
Condolences may be left at or sent to harrywitzkefuneralhome.com
In recent years, Dennis often returned to the Canton area with Duane usually visiting friends and relatives. In 2014 he watched proudly as Duane was provided a “Hometown Heroes” recognition in the Canton Memorial Day Parade.
This past July, Dennis was the featured speaker at the Ellenton Old Home Days gathering. He provided a truly memorable speech that encompassed the early Tomkins family heritage settling the Ellenton area, his faith, and his research in fighting his cancer. He and Duane provided much in the way of labor in getting the Ellenton Chapel in an improved state for its recent 100th anniversary, including its many windows.
Memorial services were held in Ellicott City, MD and Honey Brook, PA.
Condolences may be left at or sent to harrywitzkefuneralhome.com
