Dennis Ladd, 71, passed away at his home on February 20, 2024, in Bellows Falls, VT surrounded by his loving family. Dennis was born May 28, 1952, in Walpole, NH to Neal and Helen (Shabott) Ladd.

Dennis graduated from Fall Mt. High School in 1970 and Keene State College in 1974. He spent most of his teaching career at Bellows Falls Middle School. Dennis is survived by his wife, Margery (Nostrand) Ladd, and sons, Colin of Bellows Falls, VT, Brendan (Tara) Ladd of Walpole, NH; grandchildren, Sabrina, Silas, and Zayne; sister, Joyce (Ed) McAdams; nieces, Lisa Mowry, Kristie (Kevin) George, and Michelle (Thomas) Clancy; and the Nostrand, Offsay, Kinson, Herlihy and Brooks Families, including many nieces and nephews. Dennis is predeceased by his parents and sister, Nancy, and her husband, Doug Treat. So many people knew him as their teacher, colleague, or mentor. A struggling student in his class didn’t struggle for long with his special attention and help. From Room 200 at the Bellows Falls Middle School to bike rides ending at Lake Warren in Alstead or from an Academic trip to Disney World in Florida or a trip to Hannibal, MO to visit Mark Twain, he spread his special teaching and student mentoring skills across the map. As a colleague and mentor he was a risk taker. He created a new configuration of classroom teaching. A new curriculum he developed was one that included a before and after slide show of the 100 year old houses of Bellows Falls sending families on a Village search. It benefited all levels of students. In fact, they all called him Mr. Bellows Falls! Dennis served well for several years as a Bellow Falls Village Trustee. One of his most important issues was developing a rental housing code. He spent much of his tenure on that project.

One of his most important civic endeavors was being a joint founder of the Our Town Civic Organization. This group of citizens began the Renaissance of the Village of Bellows Falls that continues today! One of its greatest achievements was the restoration of the Clocktower after decades of silence!

Dennis held a position on the Board of the Bellows Falls Historical Society and was a docent at the Adams Grist Mill Museum. He was also an active participant in the development of the Riverfront Park.

For many years, he haunted the stage appearing in theatrical productions presented by the District Teachers. The money from these humorous shows went to student academic scholarships. He was the leader of the Union negotiating team through many contract sessions. The teachers felt very at ease with him at the top. Those who ever sat at his dinner table know what an excellent chef he was. Traditional and experimental were his skills but always very, very excellent! However, there was a future of “into the disposal” of any cake or dish with a small divot, a burnt edge or crumbled frosting! He enjoyed nights playing board games…he was hard to beat at trivia, but on occasion he was! Playing charades was beyond control and seeing him acting out Quasi Modo, a favorite hunchback, left many people catching their breaths!

As a Dad he was great! Some of the things the family did together was traveling. They visited many famous tourist areas such as Disney World and Mount Rushmore and all the​ family things that people do. He also never missed any event of his sons. He was the dearest of friends and was always there if you needed him. His dearest friend, however, was the love of his life, his wife, Marge. Married for 44 years yet knowing each other for 54! All the hours, days, weeks, months, years and decades they spent together were a timespan of a close partnership in parenting, teaching, affection and friendship but never, ever cooking! He shared: his magical teaching skills with new teachers, his hand on the shoulder of a student in need, his vigor in seeing his Village return to its days of beauty and prosperity, his love for the history of this Village and his drive to preserve it his skills and quickness at the negotiation table to achieve an excellent result his infectious smile and humor for friends and strangers, his energy and heart with his sons and grandchildren, his lifetime and loving commitment to his wife .. This community and those he touched will miss him very much!

There are no calling hours. A Mass of Christian Burial will take place on Friday, March 1, 2024, at 10:00 AM at St Peter’s Church in North Walpole. Burial will follow for family at St. Charles Cemetery in Westminster, VT.

Arrangements are entrusted to the care of the Fenton and Hennessey Funeral Home, 55 Westminster Street, Bellows Falls, VT 05101.