Dennis Raymond Carroll was born on July 4, 1942 in Rahway, N.J., to Frank Joseph Carroll and Hildur Margaret Carroll. He was called back to God on April 9, 2024 in Cathedral City, Calif., surrounded by the loving support of his wife, Carol Carroll, son, Matt Carroll, sister Alice Thompson, niece Peggie Jimcosky, and nephew, Scott Thompson. He is also survived and will be missed by his nieces Elizabeth Condren and Jennifer Barga; nephews Sean Condren, Hilary Condren, and Colin Condren; all their wonderful families, and his many great friends, former students, and colleagues.
Dennis graduated from Seton Hall University, with a degree in Classics, in 1964, and began teaching high school English and Latin in Governor Livingston, N.J.
On Aug. 3 of 1969, Dennis married Carol Condren. It was apparently such a case of true love that she gladly changed her name to Carol Carroll. Dennis and Carol had an amazingly wonderful, loving marriage, filled with joy, laughter, kindness, and goodness. They were soulmates in the purest sense and their marriage lasted fifty-four years. On November 10th of 1973, they welcomed their only son, Matt, and the three of them had fifty glorious years as a loving, very happy family.
A naturally charismatic and gifted teacher, Dennis devoted his career to education. He and Carol moved to Woodstock in 1977 and both taught at Woodstock Union High School. They loved their years in Woodstock, where Dennis eventually transitioned into administration and the position of Vice Principal. In 1986 Dennis moved to Long Island, N.Y., with Carol and Matt, and became the Middle School Director for Woodmere Academy, in Woodmere, N.Y. He went on to serve as the Upper School Director, for the newly named Lawrence Woodmere Academy and in 1994 he became the Headmaster. He served as Lawrence Woodmere Academy’s Headmaster for nine years and both loved and took great pride in that responsibility. He also formed close friendships with coworkers, parents, and students that endured the rest of his life. After retiring to Palm Springs with Carol in 2004, he continued to teach on a part-time basis at College of the Desert.
Inspired by an insatiable appetite for life, Dennis devoted himself to his loved ones and was always there when one of them needed support. He had a wonderful sense of humor, loved to make people laugh, and was known for his own hearty, genuine, and unrestrained laughter. Dennis and Carol both gave generously of their time and energy to their church communities in Vermont, New York, and most recently at Our Lady of Solitude in Palm Springs.
Special thanks to Our Lady of Solitude, where the funeral service will be held on Saturday, May 18th at 12 p.m. And a world of gratitude to the gifted and generous care providers at The Palms at La Quinta.
Please honor Dennis’s memory with kind acts toward others, the indulgence of laughter with family and friends, and perhaps a remembrance to a favorite charity of your own.
