It is with an overwhelming sense of sadness and loss that the CCS family notifies you of the passing of Dennick Skeels, Operational Vice President and Partner of the firm.  He was a loving son; a supportive brother to Margaret, Ralph, Robert and Richard; a devoted husband to the love of his life, Reneé, and a proud father of Sadie (17) and Katherine (15).

Since July 2007, Dennick waged a heroic battle with brain cancer, which he fought with the steadfast and unwavering support, and the love and encouragement of his wonderful family and large circle of dear friends.  Reneé called his supporters the D Squad and they kept us all informed on a regular basis.

Dennick enjoyed life.  An avid golfer and gardener, he approached these hobbies with the same passion he had for everything else in his life.  He was a voracious sports fan who loved watching and rooting for the Ohio State Buckeyes and Cincinnati Reds.

He was extremely kind, friendly and charmed everyone with his unassuming and warm personality.  Dennick’s unyielding optimism, even during one of life’s greatest challenges, was a life lesson to everyone he encountered.

Dennick was born on October 20, 1952 in Mt. Kisco, New York.  He attended preparatory school at Moses Brown in Providence Rhode Island and later attended Haverford College in Haverford, Pennsylvania and majored in sociology and anthropology.  He also studied business at the University of Texas Graduate School of Business.

Dennick joined the firm in 1985 and throughout his more than 20+-year career with CCS provided expertise to a diverse array of clients throughout the United States. Dennick served as Executive Director for some of CCS’ cornerstone accounts such CARE, Fox Chase Cancer Center, MAP International, Western New York Public Broadcasting and the United Church of Christ.

Dennick was promoted to Operational Vice President in 2000 and oversaw the CCS Atlanta office and Southeast operations.  From 1999 to 2003 he served as lead executive director and architect on one of the most successful campaigns in the non-profit world where he designed the “More Than Houses” campaign for Habitat for Humanity International, which raised over $550 million to build new homes around the world.  Dennick was also the chief strategist for the recent, highly successful campaigns for the Nashville Symphony, American College of Rheumatology and Franklin Institute.

In addition to his CCS responsibilities, Dennick served as a respected advisor to the National Association of Cancer Center Development Officers. He also served on the Corporation of Haverford College, and is a past director of Upstage New York and the Mosses Brown School.

We will miss Dennick’s warmth, love for life, optimism, intelligence, thoughtfulness, and remarkable strength.  And we will never forget all that he has taught us about faith, about the preciousness of every day, and devotion to those he so dearly loved.