** The Funeral Mass will be celebrated on Saturday, March 4th regardless of the weather. Travel safely

The Funeral Mass will be live streamed and can be watched via https://saintsmaryandjoseph.org/live ***

Dennis Keith Sears, 71, of Salem, NH passed away on Thursday, February 17 while on vacation in New Port Richey, Florida following a long term illness.

He was born in Nashua, NH on November 18, 1951 to the late Geralda (Paradis) and Stephen Sears. Dennis spent his childhood in the firehouse where his father was fire chief and cooking food from their Italian heritage. Dennis was a proud 1969 graduate of Milford High School, often telling stories of great sports victories of the past. He earned his BA in 1975 and an MBA from Plymouth State University in 1976. At Plymouth State he also met the love of his life MaryLou Melanson Sears, to whom he was married for 42 wonderful years.

Dennis spent his entire 35 year career working for Coca-Cola USA. Dennis's career brought them around the country from Chicago to Atlanta, where they had their children Natalie and Jonathan. Dennis was transferred back to New England enabling them to be closer to family. His career inspired him to be a connoisseur of restaurants and travel; he always gave the best recommendations for a bite to eat.

In his spare time, he loved to golf which led him to his lifelong friendship with Billy and Diane Kozdra, formerly of North Salem and New Port Richey, FL. He loved to cook for his family and friends, especially spaghetti sauce and his famous baked ziti. He spent his retirement enjoying time with family. His favorite times of year were their annual trips to Florida and Seabrook, NH. His favorite activities involved spending time with family, especially his three grandchildren. Grandpa always had M&Ms to give them, even if it was just before dinner time.

He will be deeply missed by his wife, MaryLou of Salem, NH; his daughter Natalie of Manchester, NH; his son Jonathan and his wife Ashley of Derry, NH and their children: Clara, Henry, and Audrey; his sister Mary Breslow and her husband Roger of New Hartford, New York; his brothers Richard and his wife Margaret of Pageland, South Carolina, and Stephen and his wife Alice of New Boston, NH; his sisters and brothers-in-law Joan Melanson and Daniel Lewis of Milton, MA, Elizabeth Harrington of Derry, NH, Anne and Adrian Payne of Lucan, Ireland, Kathleen and Bjӧrn Carlsson of Narragansett, RI; many nieces and nephews; and friends.

Visitation will be Friday, March 3, 2023 from 4:00pm to 7:00pm at Douglas & Johnson Funeral Home, 214 Main St., Salem, NH. Funeral Mass will be at 10:00AM on Saturday, March 4 at Mary Queen of Peace Catholic Church, 200 Lawrence Rd, Salem, NH.

In honor of the care he received at Catholic Medical Center, donations in Dennis's name may be made to the New England Heart and Vascular Institute at Catholic Medical Center, 100 Macgregor St, Manchester, NH 03102.