Dennis John Startare went to heaven on March 29, 2020 in Santa Rosa at the age of 63 following a lengthy illness. Dennis was born on November 30, 1956 to William J “Bill” & Mary Lou Startare at St. Joseph Hospital in Eureka. He was born blind with Severe Developmental Disabilities that required him to be placed in a State Facility at the age of ten. Dennis resided at the Sonoma Developmental Center in Glen Ellen until it’s closing in 2018 before residing at the ERAH Group Home in Santa Rosa until his passing.

While at SDC, Dennis rode horses, roller skated, danced, and enjoyed music. He also loved taking walks around the property & his Sister Diane’s Oatmeal Raisin Cookies when she would visit him. Dennis was known for his great smile & had the staff at both SDC & ERAH Home wrapped around his finger. During Family Visits, Brother Dave would ask Denny for a love and he’d lean over toward him for a hug. He remembered this from his childhood when he was still living at home.

Dennis was preceded in death by his Father, William J “Bill” Startare in 1978 & by his Mother, Mary Lou McCauley in 2012. Also preceding him in death, are Grandparents, Joe & Mary Startare and Horace & Ruth Hazen as well as Step-Father Jack Mc Cauley, Step-Mother Joyce Startare, Step-Brother Ken Mc Cauley & Step-Sister, Cheryl Orr.

Dennis is survived by his Brother, David J. Startare (Tammy) & Sister Diane Startare-Viale (Cliff) of Eureka. Also surviving Dennis are Nephews, Anthony “A.J.” Viale (Leilani) of Rohnert Park, & Will Startare of Eureka; Nieces, Angela Viale & Daughter Sophia Bates, Jennifer Mrotzek (Nathan) & their Sons Silas, Ezra & Gideon. Also surviving Dennis, are his Maternal Aunt, Beverly Dame (Charlie) as well as Bonus Siblings, Vicki Crooker (Tom), Kerry Mc Cauley, Jim Orr, Karen Thomas (Lee), Kathleen Mc Cauley & their Families. Dennis is also survived by many special Cousins too numerous to list.

Special thanks to the staff at SDC for the 52 years of stellar, loving & exceptional care they gave Dennis. Also many thanks to North Bay Regional Center & to Hannah Peralta RN and Staff at the ERAH Group Home in Santa Rosa where Dennis spent his last couple of years. Dennis knew how much he was loved and felt safe in their care. Lastly, thank you to Caleb & Staff of Sanders Funeral Home for making the trip south in the middle of the night to transport Dennis back home.

Graveside services were held at St. Bernard’s Cemetery on Monday, April 6, 2020.

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The following is a poem Dennis’ mother wrote for him when he was two years old.

DENNIS JOHN

“WHEN I WAS PICKED FROM OTHERS, TO BE YOUR MOTHER, SON,

I KNOW THIS WAS AN HONOR, FOR YOU’RE A SPECIAL ONE.

GOD CHOOSES VERY CAREFULLY, THE PLACES HERE BELOW

WHERE HE WILL LET HIS LITTLE, EXTRA SPECIAL ANGELS GO.

FOR YOU HAVE HEAVEN IN YOUR EYES, THOUGH THESE EYES CAN’T SEE,

BUT I WILL HELP YOU FIND YOUR WAY, GOD GAVE THIS TASK TO ME.

YOUR FINGERTIPS AND EARS, WILL GUIDE YOU BUT A PART

OF FINDING YOUR WAY THROUGH THIS LIFE, MUST COME FROM OUT YOUR HEART.

YOU’LL “SEE” THE SMELL OF EVERY ROSE, YOU’LL “SEE” THE TOUCH OF RAIN,

TOGETHER WE’LL EXPLORE THIS WORLD AND I SHALL LEARN AGAIN.

SO THANK YOU GOD IN HEAVEN, FOR THE TREASURE YOU HAVE BROUGHT ME,

AND THANK YOU DENNIS DARLING, FOR THE LESSONS YOU HAVE TAUGHT ME!!

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