An Interview with Mary Dennis

On August 9, 2021 Victoria Schultz conducted an interview with Mary Dennis, daughter of Robert I. Dennis. The interview goes into detail on what life was like living with her father, what some memorable moments were, his passion for building the lighthouse models, why he built them, his contributions to different organizations, and his experience while fighting in World War II.

What was life like living with your father, Robert Dennis?

It was educational and fun. I had to give you one word; I would tell you educational. No matter what, I don’t care if it was carpentry, rope work, farming, or mechanics. There was always a sense not only to learn but to be curious. He was always teaching but, in a way, to make you think. Whether caning a chair or learning how to use a hammer, his patience was a virtue to pass on to us. He loved to read, especially history. When his grandchildren came along, he always had a story to tell containing a lesson. He passed on the ability to work with one’s hands. Loved to play cards or games and loved the movie theater. I saw every Disney movie with him. Backgammon and checkers were popular with a puzzle every winter out on a table to be worked on. He loved to travel around. Planning trips around the area or day trips to a fair or museum. Never stop learning, appreciate what you have and don’t forget to stop and smell the roses.

Is there a memorable moment that took place with your father that has always stuck with you?

Wow, that is a tough one. Life was such a surprise around every corner. A strong memorable moment was when he died. I know that may sound harsh, but his death really opened my eyes to everything he accomplished and gave. He was 92 when he passed on yet at his wake so many younger people, say in their 50’s and 60’s, amazed me with their praise of him. He was always passing on his knowledge or had a story from his past to amuse. Everyone came away with usually the same reaction- his appreciation of life, he enjoyed what was in the present and worked to keep that enjoyment and expand on it.

Did your father always have this passion for building these kinds of lighthouse models, such as the ones at Beavertail? Or was it not until later in his life that he realized that building these models was something that he really enjoyed?

My father had carpentry skills, learned in his youth from his father and uncle. He loved to go to church auctions, pick up a piece of battered furniture and redo it. The reason for the lighthouse models started with the birth of my son. At his birth, my father realized a new generation would grow up and never realize a way of life he had been part of was gone. My father worked in the US Lighthouse Service during the late 1930’s. He worked on a tender out of Bristol and serviced the lighthouses and buoys of Narragansett Bay. The men on these boats lit the buoys in the bay with kerosene, delivered coal, and household supplies. This happened also in the dead of winter with the bay frozen as far down as Dyer Island. This type of maintenance for the lighthouses and buoys is no longer performed in the same way as back then. At this time period a lot of lighthouses were being replaced by new technology and were headed toward disrepair.

What do you think the reason was for your father to start creating these models?

That is easy - preserve history. History was a very important part of my father’s life. He was always reading, learning. A firm believer that we learn from history or we should. His models traveled to different locations for viewing. A great article was written in the Newport Daily News.

Besides his contributions to creating the models, what else did he contribute to?

The models of the lighthouses came after years of HO railroad modeling. The basement had a great train set with houses, stations, even a circus train. The locomotives used were always models of steam. He loved this era. He believed our country was built by these giants. Here was another time in history that had gone past. This love of railroading had him volunteer at the Old Colony railroad in Newport. He was an engineer. Also, helped with any work needed in the train yard or cars. He belonged to a few organizations. The International Order of Odd Fellows from his younger years. The Knights of Columbus, Green Valley Golf Course, St. Lucy’s Church. As a member of the Newport Power Squadron, he taught weather, basic boating, and navigation.
Of course, he was a docent for the Beavertail Lighthouse Museum. His greatest contribution was the time and patience he had with us all as he offered to pass on knowledge. Not only verbal lessons but he was very talented with his hands, furniture refinishing, caning, macrame, navigation/chart plotting and of course gardening. His farm experience started as a young child both husbandry and agricultural.

Did he ever share stories or events that happened during his life, such as when he fought in World War II?

No, he was usually very quiet about the war. He would mention the Invasion of Normandy especially every June 6th. He talked about the constant practicing day after day in England. Each person had their one job that they did over and over. Once underway, all the pieces came together, as the sun rose over the English Channel exposing the tremendous magnitude of the Invasion. The Pacific Theatre there was a different tone. He was in the Invasion of Iwo Jima and Okinawa. I knew of Iwo Jima because Saturday afternoon sports had a commercial of the Marines raising the flag. He always said I saw that! Not that Normandy was a cake walk but the Pacific Theatre was ghastly. It is now known to have been a horrible experience for all.

He does have a picture of his softball team from the ship on Saipan with a caption “never won a game”.