C. Denison Makepeace II, age 89, passed away peacefully at home In Marion, MA on June 28, 2023. He was surrounded by family and the gentle care of Hospice of Community Nurse Home Care of Fairhaven. He was known as “Denny” to his family and friends.
Denny is survived by his wife of 67 years, Cornelia “Tippy” Ward Makepeace, his sister Zelinda Douhan (John Douhan), his two daughters Megan Makepeace (Guy Mitchell) and Susan Makepeace, his three grandchildren Samantha Mitchell, Chris (Maria Finsness) and Tara Basting.
Denny was the son of Russell and Eleanor Makepeace. He was born on January 1, 1934 at the home of his mother’s sister in Houston, Texas. He was raised in Marion where he attended Sippican Elementary School and Tabor Academy; he graduated from Williams College in 1956.
At Williams he completed four years of Reserve Officer’s Training Corps (ROTC). For the following four years Denny served in the Air Force and traveled the world with his new wife Tippy.
Denny and Tippy settled in New Haven, CT where he worked at a New Haven bank. This began his long career as a computer systems analyst. He worked for many corporations and institutions throughout his career.
After moving and living in Vermont, where he worked at the University of Vermont, the family emigrated to Vancouver, Canada. Denny had positions at the Vancouver City Hall and the Weldwood Corporation.
Denny often said he “worked so he could play.” He was an athlete in his heart and soul. He enjoyed daily running, marathons, skiing, hiking, mountain climbing, glacier rescue, sailing and tennis.
After Vancouver, the family moved to Cambridge MA where he and Tippy participated in the C.R.A.S.H -B World Indoor Rowing Championships on rowing ergometer machines. Denny competed for twenty years and one year was awarded second place for his age group.
He found a passion for competitive racing with his sailboat “Tango” in the Shields class at the Beverly Yacht Club in Marion. Later he raced Lasers.
Denny was an avid reader of history, biography and geography.
Denny suffered a stroke in July 2011. He faced his post stroke condition and cancer with steadfastness and fortitude. He was able to continue exercise on his home rowing machine with the weekly support of a physical therapist from Community Nurse Home Care.
For those who knew this couple well, it comes as no surprise that Tippy devoted her life over the past twelve years to Denny’s care – right to the last breath.
An immediate family committal service was held in the memorial courtyard at St. Gabriel’s Episcopal Church in Marion, MA.
Please consider donating to: St. Gabriel’s Episcopal Church, P.O. Box 545 Marion, MA 02738, Community Nurse Home Care, 62 Center Street, Fairhaven, MA 02719 or the Appalachian Mountain Club, 10 City Square Boston, MA 02129.
