On January 14th 2021, Dennis was fatally wounded while performing duties protecting and serving his community as a health inspector for Sacramento County. He leaves behind his wife Shelley and daughter Lauryn who need your prayers and support during this very difficult time.
Due to COVID restrictions and to honor Dennis's life and legacy of service to protect the public, the family held a private service. Dennis was laid to rest on Fri 1/29/2021. A celebration of life and opportunity to be with Shelley, Lauryn and Dennis' brothers will be arranged at a future date when public health guidelines allow.
Shelley and her daughter deserve to be wrapped in our community’s love in their darkest moment and my hope is we will create a balloon of financial support that will carry them through what’s to come—a life without her incredible husband, Dennis.
Shelley and Dennis devoted their lives to holding the hearts of others, and it’s time for us to hold theirs. Please join me in contributing to the GoFundMe page below so that Shelley can remove financial worries from the list of things she will face in this next year. And if we are generous to an extent I can only hope for, let us also provide for her daughter’s future. We are her community and it’s our turn to show up for her. Dennis would be grateful and proud.
A GoFundMe account below was set up to provide support for Shelley and Lauryn
https://www.gofundme.com/f/dennis-catanyagOther alternatives to provide financial support
- Check - Please contact John through the gofundme page for additional details
Additionally, meal delivery is being coordinated online
- Meal Train -
https://mealtrain.com/z0vg0dWe are incredibly grateful for everyone's love and support of Dennis and his family. Please continue to keep them in your thoughts and prayers. We would appreciate it if you would share this with your community.
Tribute to Dennis Slideshow by Walter Lin: Go to Gallery/Video area of this website
Shelley's eulogy for Dennis
1/29/2021, Divine Mercy Catholic Church
https://docs.google.com/document/d/16bm_YRsthHiac2iYnovSPEIZE4tINNfInGalbmD093E/edit?usp=sharingJohn Lai's eulogy for Dennis
1/29/2021, Divine Mercy Catholic Church
https://docs.google.com/document/d/1rUXHXtkwV4g3xHY1pB3cv9t_ht8ioKkWG4WX4gwpgnc/edit?usp=sharing-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
My Heaven for Dennis
He is a world-renowned baker/pastry chef; playing lots of tennis and his serve “is on”; running marathons without injuries; laying on a bed of puppies, just SO many happy dogs around him; holding his baby Caitlyn tightly in his arms, smelling her and kissing her; spending time with his mom and dad; spending time with Louis, Luckey, and his Mr. River; never-ending swimming in the warm ocean like Hawaii; eating Filipino fried fish and fresh coconuts; drinking soda, trenta green tea lemonades with light ice, and red wine; tiny kids’ spoons to eat his Ube ice cream; winning at mahjong and poker; all kinds of games and competition; taking care of huge sparkling ponds with koi fish and so many fruit trees; singing songs with his beautiful voice with lots of range; laughing and smiling- that smile... ...until we see each other again, my sweet husband, you will always be with me.
~Shelley