Obituary of Dennis Maksimowitz

We are deeply saddened to announce the peaceful passing of Dennis Maksimowitz, 74, of Mt. Pleasant, SC
on April 26, 2024, after a short illness. Dennis was the loving husband of Denise Maksimowitz for the past 32
years.
Born May 23, 1949, in Bayonne, NJ, Dennis was the only son of the late Edward Maksimowitz and the late
Helen Rapczynski Maksimowitz. Dennis was raised in Edison, NJ, where at a young age he developed a
strong work ethic, running his own newspaper route and doing odd jobs at the local deli down the street from
his home at 12 years old. Dennis attended Our Lady of Peace grammar school, Fords, NJ, and graduated
from St. Joseph’s High School, Metuchen, NJ, where he excelled in track & field, specializing in the pole vault.
He and his friends spent a lot of time at the beach, surfing, and playing pickup basketball. He later studied at
both the University of Maryland and Rutgers University.
In his early twenties Dennis began working for New Jersey Bell, which commenced a long, successful
Management career in the Telecommunications industry that included tenures at Bell Atlantic and Verizon.
One of his major accomplishments was helping lead the commercial launch of Caller ID in the late 1980’s.
He was fortunate to retire from Verizon at the young age of 51. Soon after, Dennis led the business side of
Denise’s successful interior architecture and design business they created, DenMak Design, which they still
dabbled in for close clients and friends up until his death.
Along with his wife Denise, Dennis leaves behind his two children, daughter Lisa Maksimowitz
Fuller(Michael), of Mt. Pleasant, SC and son Matthew Maksimowitz(Andrea), of Mt. Pleasant, SC, five
cherished grandchildren- Taylor, Emma, Miles, Marin, and Owen, and his two adored great grandsons- Read
and John. He also leaves behind his two younger sisters, Denise Montgomery(Tom) and Ellen Held(Lucas),
his first wife, mother of his children, and lifelong friend Linda Allen, and countless friends and cousins who
he remained close with throughout his life. Dennis was pre-deceased by his parents and his older sister
Bernice Maksimowitz, and his favorite Aunt, Nellie Matlosz, who he thought of as a second mom.
Dennis’ family was far and away his pride and joy. He did everything he could to love, support, and counsel
them, and savored their successes and happiness. He was known not only to his entire family, but to friends
far and wide as an incredible mentor who imparted sound advice and wisdom. If you came to him with an
idea, he would pick it apart, ask countless questions, and whether you liked it or not, would raise all the
possibilities of what could possibly go wrong. He opened his home to friends who did not have family to be
with on holidays like Christmas, Thanksgiving, and Easter, and it was there those guests saw the beauty of
family and love he helped create.
Dennis loved both preparing and eating great food, the family traditions of Italian Christmas and Polish
Easter his two favorites. He was a voracious reader, often reading 2 or 3 different newspapers each day, and
he loved books, especially those about history and World War II. He was an avid skier for many decades and
earned his black belt in Karate at 40 years of age. He enjoyed playing cards with friends and family, watching
golf, and was an avid car enthusiast, his 1971 Pontiac GTO convertible probably his all-time favorite ride. He
had a profound respect for the U.S. military, gave generously to a multitude of charities, and was extremely
proud of his Polish and Russian heritage as well as his adopted Italian heritage thru his wife. More than
anything, he and Denise loved to travel, having taken countless trips to Europe, the highlight their numerous
six week voyages eating their way through their favorite country of Italy. Dennis was a devout Catholic who
had a close relationship with God.
A Celebration of Life will be held Saturday, May 18th in Mt. Pleasant, SC. In lieu of flowers donations may be
made to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital or Wounded Warrior Project. A memorial message may be
made at lowcountryfuneral.com