Dennis Guppy 1955 – 2026
Guppy has left the building.
After a prolonged illness, Dennis passed away on May 21, 2026, a day after his 71st birthday. It was peaceful after months of declining health.
Where do we start? Dennis was well known to so many on Boca Grande, FL, after leaving Dover, NH. He considered Boca Grande his home for the past 40+ years. Most everyone on the island knew him – ask anyone “do you know Guppy?” inevitably the response was “We love Guppy!”
After working at several restaurants, including Temptation, he became the CEO of Black-Tie Catering. Many cocktail parties and dinners were done by his business and staff whom he appreciated very much. He was famous for his culinary delights, had many regular clients who also became good friends and no one ever went hungry! He also was famous for his key lime pie. He was a fine chef, bartender and waiter.
He was a witty and hilarious friend to many, so much so you might cry tears of laughter at his comments! He loved the horseshoe tournaments in the backyard of his home on weekends. A good time was always had by all if Guppy was there!
Dennis was also a privately generous person to anyone in need. A story is told of a man in Jamaica, his favorite vacation spot (go Dogbite!), who needed eye surgery. Dennis and many of his close friends arranged and paid for this man to come to the U.S. for sight-saving surgery. He loved the Jamaican people and always brought school supplies to the children there on his trips. Though you didn’t always see this side of him, those closest to him knew his heart was genuine and loving. And good.
While there are way too many people to mention, and undoubtedly many not mentioned personally, this writer would be remiss not to include the following: Missy Fitzpatrick, the love of his life, whom he lost to ovarian cancer. Joy and Jimbo Wyman, neighbors and friends and he considered them his family. Their daughter Mila loved Guppy her “uncle” and always appreciated that he would make her favorite lemon/raspberry dessert for her birthday.
Here is just a short list of those who touched his life, as he did theirs: Snake and Paula, Baldy, Daniel, Smitty and JT, Scott Beaumont, Kim Newlin, Mrs. Honey. The “Union Hall” football pool gang. Howie Tuttle in NH, Chicago Beef, Kurt and Sharon Olsen, Paul and Judy Topham, Marcia, Keenan and Kendra and Reilly Flanagan (the Rockland mafia), Teddy McDermott and Chef Michael. If you knew Guppy, be sure he knew and loved you too!
Dennis was predeceased by the love of his life, Missy Fitzpatrick. Baldy (oh those great pig roasts in Maine!), Paula Johnson (Snake’s wife). His parents Albert and Priscilla Guppy, his aunts and uncles from NH.
He is survived by his sister, Debra Leahy of Barrington, NH, brother Gary Guppy of Somersworth NH, sister Sandra Daley of Strafford and Nancy Powers of Port Charlotte, FL, who took care of him in the last years of his life as much as he let her (and it wasn’t easy … you know how stubborn he was!). He also leaves many cousins in NH, nieces and nephews, TJ Leahy, Audrey Rouleau-Smith, Amanda (Paige) Rossetti, and Joshua Paige and many friends in New England.
His wish was to be cremated, and ashes scattered in the Gulf of Mexico off Boca Grande, the place he called home. The family would like to give special thanks to Aida Aragon, hospice liaison for her gentle care, guidance and support for his end-of-life care. She was truly an angel.
Against his wishes, the family will be having a casual celebration of life at a future date TBD. (Guppy loved a good party.) The family thanks all of you for the prayers, support and love you showed our brother, and is sure Missy and our mother welcomed him with open arms, then slapped him upside the head …
