Beloved Holy Cross Retired Employee to Share Reflections on Social Justice

Dennis “Denny” Shea Jr., a retired Holy Cross employee who worked in the Physical Plant department for five decades, will give a talk titled “Love makes the heart grow fonder … and the memories sharp!” as part of the “Lessons from the Cross … Stories of Civility” series during a brown-bag lunch on Nov. 19 at noon in Hogan Jenks Suite A.

Many employees meet Shea and his no-less-than-phenomenal memory as new hires on the College’s employee walking tour, which he continues to lead. He first worked as a groundsman during the summer of 1956 and ultimately became plant engineer of the College for 35 years.

“Retirement after five decades may keep Denny away on a daily basis, but it does not keep him from his ultimate goal: for us to learn what he has experienced: the gift of true friendship given by the Jesuits of Holy Cross,” says Mary Jo Carlisle, employment coordinator in Human Resources.

The Office of Human Resources and the “Hate: Not Here!” committee — comprised of faculty, staff, and students across campus — created the series as a way “to engage all who attend in thoughtful reflection and conversation, strengthen our personal and collective social responsibility to live meaningful and purposeful lives and affirm our commitment to maintaining a campus community which values respect, dignity, and civility.”