Dennis F. Wagenblast, a long-time resident of Toms River, died peacefully and surrounded by loved ones on February 4, 2024 at the age of 74.

Dennis was born on January 12, 1950 in West Reading, Pennsylvania to his mother, Marianne, who immigrated from Germany in the 1920’s, and his father Francis, who was a World War II veteran.

Dennis grew up in Shillington, Pennsylvania where he enjoyed a happy childhood filled with activities such as earning merit badges in the Boy Scouts, singing in the Grace Lutheran Church choir, and watching the Yankees, particularly the great Mickey Mantle, on TV.

In his teenage years, Dennis had great success on and off the field, as he played varsity basketball and was co-captain of the baseball team while also graduating as valedictorian of his class at Governor Mifflin High School.

In 1968, Dennis met his dream girl, Meredith, at Gettysburg College. The two history majors shared many laughs and adventures during their college years including adopting a dog “Dusty” and attending social events at Dennis’s Sigma Nu fraternity house, where he made lifelong friends.

Dennis proposed to Meredith on her college graduation day in 1971. Dennis graduated from Gettysburg the following year, again receiving high academic honors by being inducted into the Phi Beta Kappa and Phi Alpha Theta honor societies.

His academic journey continued to the University of Virginia, where Dennis earned a Master’s degree in History with a focus in the Civil War and Reconstruction Era.

After a year of long distance while he was away at graduate school, Dennis and Meredith got married on August 5, 1973 at the Presbyterian Church in Shrewsbury, New Jersey.

They celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary in 2023. Dennis went on to earn his law degree from Rutgers Law School in 1976.

He worked as an attorney for over 40 years, most of which at his own practice. His mission, which he delivered on, was to provide excellent legal services at affordable prices for his clients.

In his free time, Dennis was an avid golfer, who had the ability, thanks to his impeccable memory, to recount every stroke from the day’s round.

Dennis also enjoyed taking his family for boat rides in the Barnegat Bay and down the Toms River. He took great joy in painting landscape portraits in the style of Bob Ross.

Dennis was also a man of faith and devoted significant time to the Presbyterian Church of Toms River, where he served as a deacon and an elder and drove his kids to Sunday School every week.

But, above all of these hobbies and noble pursuits, Dennis was a loving husband and family man, who devoted his life to providing the best of opportunities for his family.

He generously contributed financially to make his children’s dreams come true from first cars, to college tuitions, to weddings, and all of the smaller things in between.

Even more lasting than his financial support is the encouragement and emotional support he gave his children. Dennis prided himself on hardly missing a single one of his kids’ sports games, recitals, or academic achievements. He was truly their number one fan.

Dennis continued to provide that unconditional support to his four grandchildren through countless hours of babysitting and cheering from the sidelines.

In addition to the annual family vacations he made possible, Dennis and Meredith were able to take several trips for themselves during his retirement years and continued to make new memories and experiences together.

Their devotion to each other remained strong for over 50 years, and Dennis always did everything he could to make sure his wife was happy and cared for.

Throughout his life, up until the very end, Dennis was an intelligent, hard-working, selfless, funny, gentle, and loving man. He will be greatly missed by all who had the privilege of knowing him.

Dennis is survived by his adoring wife, Meredith; children, Scott, Katie (husband Nick), Megan (husband Tom), and Craig (wife Thynna); grandchildren, Mark, Tommy, Madelynn, and Emily; and many beloved relatives. Dennis is predeceased by his parents, Francis and Marianne.

A viewing for Dennis will be held on Friday, February 9th from 4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. at Anderson & Campbell Funeral Home, 703 Main Street, Toms River, NJ. The funeral service will follow on Saturday, February 10th at 11:00 a.m. at the Presbyterian Church of Toms River, 1070 Hooper Avenue, Toms River, NJ. In lieu of flowers, please consider making a donation on behalf of Dennis to the Presbyterian Church of Toms River.

Link to donate: https://pctr.org/give/