Dennis W. Cerqua, 69, of Pingree Grove, formerly of Schaumburg, died peacefully, March 14, 2020, at his home.
Dennis was born June 2, 1950, the son of William and JoAnn Cerqua. He dedicated his life to law enforcement, starting his career at Triton College and then serving for 31 years as a Schaumburg Police officer. He married his loving wife Susan on December 27, 2003. After retiring as a sergeant from the Schaumburg Police Department in September 2007, he worked for the next 10 years as a part-time officer for Pingree Grove Police Department. Dennis was also a dedicated teacher and trainer. He taught defensive tactics along with concealed carry and was the range master for Pingree Grove. He proudly served as a Flotilla Commander for the US Coast Guard Auxiliary. He enjoyed deer hunting, scuba diving and competitive shooting. He was a loving husband, father, grandfather and friend. He will be missed by all who knew him.
He is survived by his wife, Susan, his children, Valerie (Shawn) Newman, Stephanie (Adam) Olic, Melanie Cerqua, Michael (April) Bouchard, Christine (Jared Hamm) Karavakis, and by his brother, David (Janet) Cerqua. He was a proud Grandpa to 7 grandchildren, Justin, Tyler, Connor, Alaina, Jake, Aiden and Addison. Dennis was preceded in death by his parents.
There will be a private service and burial for the immediate family later this week. There will also be a Celebration of Dennis’s Life for anyone who wants to attend in the coming months, after the current world situation with Coronavirus improves. Details will be communicated when they are available.
For further information please call the funeral home at 847-515-8772 or online condolences may be directed to www.defiorefuneral.com
In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to:
Pancreatic Cancer Action Network
http://www.pancan.org/donate
Nationwide Chaplain Services
The Resilient Life Church for 1st Responders
http://www.emergencyresponsechaplainservices.org
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RIP Sarge. You will be missed.
Rest In Peace Dennis. You were a great friend and a great Copper.
Loved working with Denny, a great guy/cop who always had your back. Rest In Peace Brother !!
A policemen’s policemen. Dedicated dad, police officer, grandpa, and unwavering love to serve others. Heavens gate is better protected by this warrior.
RIP Dennis. You will be dearly missed.
Thanks to you Denny for being a great FTO when I was a new officer and a trainer to many over the years. You always shared your knowledge with others. You always spoke with great pride for your family and were a dedicated officer who served the public with professionalism and empathy. I always enjoyed seeing you when you would visit the station for range duty after you retired from the Schaumburg Police Department. You will be missed and I hope the wonderful memories of your well lived life, will help ease the heavy burden of your loss to family and friends.
Thanks to you Denny for being a great FTO when I was a new officer and a trainer to many over the years. You always shared your knowledge with others. You always spoke with great pride for your family and were a dedicated officer who served the public with professionalism and empathy. I always enjoyed seeing you when you would visit the station for range duty after you retired from the Schaumburg Police Department. You will be missed and I hope the wonderful memories of your well lived life, will help ease the heavy burden of your loss to family and friends.
Having known Dennis for so many years. He was a dedicated police officer. He held my truist and confidence. I am sure he will be missed,not only becaudeof hi professionablty but more important for his capacity to find thr good in thr people he delt with....Dennis you will be missed terribly.... I was proud to know you .....
RIP Partner. You could always be counted on.
So sorry to hear about Dennis. He is no longer suffering but in a better place. My heart, thoughts, and prayers go out to not only Dennis but to his family as well.
Thank you for sharing with all of us your knowledge and training skills. RIP Brother.
It truly was a pleasure knowing and working with Dennis in Schaumburg. His passion to help and train others was obvious to everyone who worked with him. May the Lord's Perpetual Light shine on him.
He will be missed, we talked a lot about the coastguard,
Rest in peace Dennis. Thanks for your passion and dedication to the job. You will be missed.
My heartfelt condolences go out to Dennis' family. He was a great guy and truly a credit to himself and the SPD. Rest in Peace Brother!
Our heartfelt condolences to the Cerqua family. Dennis will be greatly missed.
Rest in peace, my friend. I really enjoyed our many years of friendship.
Anyone who knew Denny has heard his laugh and the pleasure of being around it. Knowing it is gone now, the silence is deafening. My deepest condolences to his family. Take heart in your memories of better times.