Dennis M. "Denny" Gehrisch

June 15, 1943 - January 7, 2022

Dennis M. “Denny” Gehrisch, age 78 of Mentor, passed away peacefully on January 7, 2022 at home with his loving wife by his side. He was born June 15, 1943, in Cleveland, Ohio. Prior to his retirement, Denny was the owner, President, and CEO of Roll-Kraft Inc. Under his leadership, Roll-Kraft was transformed from its founding location in Willoughby, Ohio, to its state-of-the-art manufacturing facility in Mentor, Ohio. Because of Denny’s dedication and commitment, Roll-Kraft achieved its status as one of the world’s leading manufacturers of tube and pipe rolls. Denny was a 1962 graduate of Eastlake North High School and attended Kent State University. He enjoyed spending time with his family and friends, the Florida sunshine, collecting beach glass, and taking his dog, Milo, for a daily walk. He was proud of his gardens and loved sharing his knowledge of the flowers and unique trees he cultivated. Through the years, Denny has provided kindness, generosity, and sincerity, not to mention a good laugh now and then. You could always count on him for something funny through a text message, an off-color joke, or sharing his love of dogs. Anyone lucky enough to meet Denny can attest that behind his tough exterior was a beautiful and caring heart. Denny’s generosity had no limits. He was always known to drop by with a bushel of apples, a dozen ears of corn, a bottle of wine, or a share of his catch of the day. In addition to these visible acts of kindness, he quietly supported numerous individuals and organizations that were near and dear to him. Denny gave freely from his heart. Survivors include his wife of 20 years: Kelly Chaka; children: Michael Gehrisch and Jennifer Gehrisch Taylor; grandson: Cody Taylor; sisters: Mary Rettig-Wadman and Gretchen Lazar; in-laws: Robert and Mary Alice Chaka; brother in law: Bryan (Kathleen) Chaka; sister in law: Catherine (Timothy) Morton; several nieces and nephews; special friend: Paula Clark; and loyal, furry friend: Milo. Denny was preceded in death by his parents: George and Alice Gehrisch; brother: George “Sonny” Gehrisch; and sister: Katherine Watt. Private family services were held at the Brunner Sanden Deitrick Funeral Home & Cremation Center, 8466 Mentor Ave. Mentor, OH. 44060. Inurnment will be in Mentor Cemetery, Mentor, OH. Please consider a donation in Denny’s memory to the Lake County Humane Society, 7564-E Tyler Boulevard, Mentor, Ohio 44060, lakehumane.org or the Cleveland Hearing & Speech Center, 11635 Euclid Ave, Cleveland, OH 44106, chsc.org Offer condolences at www.brunners.com