TRAVERSE CITY — Philanthropic pie maker Michael Dennos was both humble and gregarious, a visionary man who gave quietly and never sought recognition, friends said.
Dennos, 92, died June 28 at his Traverse City home. A memorial celebration of his life will be held July 8, at 3 p.m. at the First Congregational Church in Traverse City.
He was the retired CEO of Chef Pierre, the family pie business that moved to Traverse City in 1963 and grew to become the city's largest employer and top provider of pies to the U.S. food service industry.
Dennos became president in 1973 and CEO in 1981 after merging the company with Consolidated Foods, the parent company of Sara Lee. He retired in 1986 as vice president of Consolidated Foods.
Dennos is remembered in Traverse City for his support and financial contributions to the Dennos Museum Center at Northwestern Michigan College, Pathfinder School and Interlochen Arts Academy.
Eugene Jenneman, executive director of the Dennos Museum Center, called him "a man of vision and a man willing to support a vision."
"He and his wife, Barb, were the catalysts who made that happen by providing the initial funding and commissioning local architect Bob Holdeman to design the museum center building," Jenneman said.
The Dennos Museum Center opened July 7, 1991.
Ellen Northway, business manager at Pathfinder School, described Dennos as "truly altruistic."
"He was the sort of individual who gave quietly and didn't seek recognition," Northway said. "But he also understood that letting people use his name was like the story of the loaves and fishes. It could get others to give."
Dennos served as Pathfinder school board chairman during the 1980s and 1990s until 2000. Pathfinder operates today as a nonprofit independent K-8 school with 109 students.
Like others, Northway described him "a people person," gregarious and warm with a good sense of humor and strong sense of humanity.
"He was caring and compassionate and genuinely sought out the company of others. He was loyal to friends and the causes he supported."
Mike Busley, who owns the Grand Traverse Pie Co. with wife Denise, said in a note to the family that he had lost a mentor.
"Northern Michigan lost one of its caring and supportive people," he wrote. "And the world of Pie lost one of its finest. There was no more humble, warm and supportive person than Mike Dennos."
Long-time family friend Susie Kildee Janis will give the eulogy at Sunday's memorial service at First Congregational. She has known the Dennos family since she was 13 and went to school with their daughters.
"He was all about family, community and giving back," she said.
A full obituary for Michael Dennos ran Sunday. It can be viewed at: http://record-eagle.com/obituaries/x691118375/Michael-Dennos
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Michael Dennos
Former Chef Pierre CEO dies at 92
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