Dennis James Bullock was born in Michigan on June 15, 1942 welcomed by his mother Helen, his father Walter and his older sister Shirley. It wasn’t too long after Dennis was born that he became a big brother to Tim and Sharon. In 1950 his family moved out west and settled in Torrance, California. As a teenager he attended Torrance High School and spent his free time racing cars, riding motorcycles and bowling with friends.

 

After graduating high school, Dennis joined the Navy. Serving on aircraft carriers and minesweepers from 1961-1965, he was well-prepared for his next job. In 1965 Dennis started his career at American Airlines as a Stock Clerk, where he’d spend the next 38 years until retirement. While at American Airlines he met some of his best friends, many of whom still got together long after retirement to catch up over lunch.

 

Dennis met Marja through a mutual friend at a local hotspot named The San Franciscan. Not long after meeting, Dennis and Marja were married on October 10th, 1974. Dennis became a step-father to Leif and Lisa and quickly took on the role of dad, helping Lisa with school work and building a corral for her horse, while teaching Leif everything he knew about mechanical tinkering.

 

Dennis also started accompanying the family on summer vacations in Finland, where he was able to do more of what he loved: outdoor adventures on the water and in the forest with all of his new in-laws, making improvements to their "mokki" (summer cottage), and capturing it all on his handy video camera.

 

In August 1979 Dennis and Marja happily welcomed Matthew James into the family. Little "Matti" was brought along everywhere, returning to Finland every summer and visiting Paso Robles to spend time with the Bullock Family. They went on dirt biking excursions, camping trips, boat rides and more. While at home in Hermosa Beach, Dennis let Matt "help" build their guest house, taught him how to ride a bike, and introduced him to the ocean at a very young age. Dennis helped with Matt's school projects, they built skateboard ramps together, and he was Matt's number one fan at the ice hockey rink.

 

In 1987 Dennis became a grandfather, and in 2008 a great-grandfather. Whether as "Uncle Denny", "Dad", "Grandpa" or simply "Dennis", throughout his life he gave the same guidance and support to everyone who asked or needed it. He is remembered for being a kind, unselfish and hard-working man.

 

Dennis is survived by: Marja Bullock (wife), Leif (Jutta) Brown and Matt (Kei) Bullock (sons), Lisa Lucenda (daughter), granddaughters Natalia Contreras-Brown, Annalisa Brown, Ebba Brown, grandsons Zechariah Lucenda and Simon Brown, great-granddaughter Arianna Oceguera, great-grandson Jeremy Elder, Tim Bullock (brother), Sharon (Jim) Foley (sister),

Yvonne Bullock (sister-in-law), Liisa Porra (sister-in-law), Anneli (David) Woodroffe (sister-in-law), Ken (Judy) Knott Sr. (brother-in-law), nephews Ken, Kris, Walter, Jonni, Mikko, Mauri, Ari, nieces Susan, Tammy, Rikki, Stevie, Dani and Salla, along with many cousins and lifelong friends.