Dr. Dennis Michael Dooley

Dennis Michael Dooley, the oldest son of Francis Xavier Dooley and Mary Aileen Lynch Dooley, was born on February 2, 1943, and died on August 13, 2022 at his home.

He is survived by his wife of 31 years, Mary Margaret Richards, brother Timothy Francis Dooley, sister Mary Patricia Dooley, and a host of relatives in the extended family. In addition to his parents, he was predeceased by two brothers, Kevin Patrick Dooley and Brian Joseph Dooley.

Dennis received his Bachelor of Arts degree from Loyola College, Maryland; his Master of Arts from Kent State University; and his Ph.D. from Vanderbilt University. Upon completion of his studies at Vanderbilt he began teaching at Wofford College and remained there for forty years, retiring as Professor Emeritus.

Among his many accomplishments and services to Wofford, three stand out. He was the College Marshall for many years, organizing and leading all formal academic processions. He founded and directed the Wofford Writers Series, which brought many writers to campus, including Nobel Laureate Seamus Heaney and South Carolina favorites Pat Conroy and James Dickey. Probably his most remembered and loved accomplishment was his Irish Interim, which took several dozen students for a month-long tour of his beloved Ireland—every other year for forty years.

In retirement Dennis came to love Italy, visiting with Mary Margaret as often as possible.

Over his lifetime Dennis loved many cats, who included Pangur, Deirdre, Peanut, Prissy, B.D., Pseudo, Willy, Bella, Sugar, and many others. His is survived by his latest cat, Fergus.

A funeral service will be held Saturday, August 20, at 11:00AM at St. Matthew’s Episcopal Church, 101 St. Matthew’s Lane, Spartanburg, 29301. A reception will follow at the church.

While flowers are welcome, memorials may be made to The Food Pantry at St. Matthew’s, 101 St. Matthew’s Lane, Spartanburg, SC 29301 (The Food Pantry feeds over 10,000 people each year), or to Mother Seton Academy, 2215 Greenmount Avenur, Baltimore, Maryland 21218 (Mother Seton is an all-scholarship co-ed Catholic middle school serving students from urban, low-income families of all faiths and cultures).