John Denison, founder and president of one of the largest landscape companies in North America, passed away May 25 from complications dues to diabetes. He was 61.
“After forty-four years in business, John continued to interact daily with employees from every division of the company, including new hires doing landscape installations. He could be found in the ‘yard’ every morning from Monday to Saturday where the landscape crews loaded and prepared to leave for their job sites. He spent the rest of his day among the other Denison offices and tree farms. John’s office door was open to anyone. He cared deeply for his employees and made sure they knew how much they were appreciated. Above all else, John loved his family. John’s wife, Donna, his children and grandchildren were the center of his life. John was happiest when his family surrounded him at home and at work. He was a loving husband and father, a self-made man and a pillar of the community. John Denison will be deeply missed by his family, friends and all those who knew him.”
Friends are invited to celebrate John's life on Thursday, June 1, from 2-8 p.m. at St. Barnabas Episcopal Church, 5203 St. Barnabas Rd., Temple Hills, Maryland.
Funeral services will be held on Friday, June 2, at 10 a.m. at Riverdale Baptist Church, 1177 Largo Rd., Upper Marlboro, Maryland.
A reception will follow from 12:30-3 p.m. at 15800 Sharpersville Rd., Waldorf, Maryland.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorial contributions be made to:
- Christmas in April-Prince George’s County, 7915 Malcolm Rd., Clinton, MD 20735; or
- Prince George’s County Police Foundation, Inc.- K-9 Unit Account, c/o Prince George’s County Police Headquarters, Office of the Chief,7600 Barlowe Rd., Landover, MD 20785; or
- Accokeek Volunteer Fire Department, 11 Town Street, Indian Head, MD 20640; or
- Religious Sisters of Mercy, 6100 Wolverton Lane, Clinton, MD 20735
Denison Landscaping was ranked 23rd on the 2017 Lawn & Landscape Top 100 list, with more than $60 million in annual revenue. If you knew or worked with John and would like to share your thoughts for a story about his life, please contact Editor Chuck Bowen at cbowen@gie.net.
