Dennis P. Addy, 1957-2011: Farmer raised horses, aided Make-A-Wish

8/19/2011

Dennis P. Addy, a Perrysburg Township farmer and motorcycle enthusiast who raised horses and helped the Make-A-Wish Foundation, died Monday in St. Luke's Hospital of a heart attack. He was 54.

He had bypass surgery after a heart attack two months ago. He was at St. Luke's for cardiac rehabilitation and had just finished warm-up exercises when he collapsed, his daughter, Stephany, said.

Mr. Addy raised corn, wheat, and soybeans on his Roachton Road farm, which he and his wife, Pam, took over from her father, Dallas Sheeks.

"He was passionate about it," his daughter said.

And he was passionate about all his pursuits -- motorcycles, semis, boats. His daughter became interested in horses when she was young. His response was, "If we're going to do it, let's do it," she recalled.

They now have more than a dozen horses and board others.

"He trained me and taught me to ride and taught me everything I know about horses," his daughter said.

Many of the wishes he granted involved children with serious illnesses who wanted nothing more than to ride a horse. Sometimes six or seven children at a time visited the farm to get on the horses and be taken around on the trails.

"The kids were amazing. That's why we did it," his daughter said. "He was all about giving to others and receiving nothing."

He had been a Make-A-Wish Foundation board member. He and his wife also were longtime 4-H Club advisers.

Mr. Addy most recently was a sales manager for Roeder Racing in Monroeville, Ohio. He'd earlier worked for the former NorthCoast Cycles in Rossford.

"He got his first motorcycle when he was 8 years old," his mother, Delores, said.

He and his friends formed a chapter of Harley-Davidson devotees, his daughter said. He was a master at sales.

"He loved to talk to people, and he could talk to any walk of life. He drew you in," his daughter said. "He loved to educate."

He was a former over-the-road trucker and owned his own rig, "Born to Run." He was recognized frequently, whether from his trucking or motorcycle experiences, his charity work, or his being a longtime Perrysburg area resident.

"There was a huge Dennis Addy network. We always joked he was worldwide," his daughter said. "He was so humble and modest about it."

He was born March 7, 1957, in Lancaster, Calif., to Delores and Dale Addy. He was 13 years old when the family moved to Perrysburg Township. He worked on a farm as a teenager. His wife lived on a neighboring farm, which is how they met.

He was a 1976 graduate of Perrysburg High School.

Mr. Addy was a member of Phoenix Lodge, F&AM, in Perrysburg.

Surviving are his wife, Pam, whom he married Jan. 19, 1985; daughter, Stephany; son, Dennis "D.J." Addy, Jr.; mother, Delores Haas, and sister, Debbie Zogaib.

Funeral services will be at 11 a.m. Monday in the Witzler-Shank Funeral Home, Perrysburg, with visitation from 2 to 8 p.m. Sunday. Masonic services will be at 7 p.m. Sunday in the mortuary.

The family suggests tributes to the Make-A-Wish Foundation.