Joe Denn Family     Herman Denn Family     Manuel Denn Family     Denn Brothers Sporting Goods

Denn Family Interview December 1989     Part 1     Part 2                         Rosenzweig Family Interview

This is Your Life Sidney Denn - Surprise 70th Birthday      Part 1     Part 2           The Lives and Times of Sidney & Gertie Denn

Photos and articles courtesy of Meyer Denn
 

Sidney Denn Family
By Meyer Denn

Born on April 6, 1924, in Bay City, Texas, Sidney Denn was the second child of Joe and Bertha Denn. Sidney attended the Jefferson Davis School and Bay City High School. On a December afternoon in 1942, Bay City High School classes were dismissed to give a send-off for Sidney Denn and Francis Denbow, who were leaving for military service. Classmates, teachers, friends, and family assembled at the the old Missouri Pacific depot to bid the boys farewell.

Sidney joined the U. S. Army Air Corps and was stationed first at Fort Sam Houston in San Antonio. After several transfers, he arrived at Hickham Field, Hawaii, with the 1521st Air Transport Command. In February of 1946, Sidney returned to Bay City to work at the Joe Denn Grocery.

Sidney married Gertrude "Gertie" Estelle Rosenzweig of Houston on September 1, 1946. Gertie, born June 25, 1923 in Houston, was the daughter of Meyer Rosenzweig (October 26, 1877-January 25, 1961), the son of Aaron Rosencwaig and Gitl Zylberaich of Lublin, Russia, (present day Poland), and Pesse (aka  Fanny) Mehltopf (July 20, 1886-September 18, 1968), the daughter of Hersh Zajnwel Mehltopf and Marya Liba Klawier, also from Lublin.

Sidney and Gertie moved to New Orleans, Louisiana, in December, 1946, to go to work for Gertie's brother Leon Rosenzweig, but returned to Bay City in 1947 to enter into business with his two brothers Herman and Manuel.

Sidney and Gertie Denn had four sons: Bernard Ralph, born in Houston; Steven Howard, born in Houston; Brian Alan, born in Bay City on September 1, 1955; and Meyer, born in Bay City on August 15, 1962. Bernard married Gail Botsford of Oxnard California and had a son, Roan Alan, from a previous marriage. They resided in Ventura, California. Steve married Dena H. Rosenthal of Dallas, Texas. They had three children: Erica Jennifer, Daniella Sabrina and Zachary Logan and they reside in Dallas. Brian married Aviva Maharabani and they had four children: a daughter, Tome, a son, Mori, a daughter, Brit; and a son, Chen Joseph. This family resides in Israel. Meyer married Marni Meller of Los Angeles and they had three children: Sydney Rose, Jordyn Gabrielle and Alexander Ziskind. They reside in Dallas, Texas.

Sidney and "Gertie" were members of Shearith Israel Congregation of Wharton, where he served on the Board of Directors. In 1947, they were charter members of Beth David Center in Bay City. He was a member of B'nai B'rith of Wharton and the Bay City Masonic Lodge 865. She was a life member of Hadassah. In 1961, Sidney was a charter member of the Ricebelt Kiwanis Club and served as its president several times. He was a diligent worker with the Boy Scouts and received one of their highest honors, the Silver Beaver Award. He was a member of the Philip H. Parker V.F.W. Post 2438 and the Post 11 American Legion of Bay City and Post 649 American Legion Blessing. Sidney also served on the first Home Rule Charter Commission for the City of Bay City.

Sidney died on November 6, 1996 in Bay City and was buried on the family plot at Shearith Israel Cemetery in Wharton, Texas.

Meyer Denn, the youngest child of Sidney and Gertrude Denn, was graduated from Bay City High School in 1980. On April 4, 1981, at the age of eighteen years, Hebecame the youngest person in the history of Bay City, and possibly the state of Texas, to be elected to a city council position. He defeated the incumbent, Jimmy L. Powers, and another challenger, Joan Dickerson. While he was a city council member, Meyer served on the board of directors of the Bay City Cultural Association. It was during that time that the Gibson building was purchased by the city to be used as the location for the cultural center. He was also a member of the Houston-Galveston Area Council. Meyer did not seek a second term in 1983, so that he could complete the work necessary to receive his degree. He received a BA from the University of Texas at Austin; a MA in Education and MBA in Non-Profit Management from the American Jewish University in Los Angeles, California; and a license as a National Guide from the Ministry of Tourism of the State of Israel, where he resided from 1997 – 2001.

In the summer of 1983, Meyer took an extensive tour of Europe and engaged in genealogical research in Czechoslovakia and Poland. During the fall semester of 1984, Meyer studied at the Hebrew University in Jerusalem, Israel.

Meyer worked as the Executive Director of the Pacific Jewish Center in Venice, California where he collaborated with many Hollywood celebrities such as Elliot Gould, Dr. Armand Hammer, and others. He moved to Israel in 1997 where he worked for the Jewish Agency for Israel. He became the Executive Director of the Center for Jewish Education of the Jewish Federation of Greater Dallas in 2008.

Meyer, was a member of Shearith Israel Congregation of Wharton, Texas, assisted the Rabbi in conducting services. He was a member of Beth David Center, Ricebelt Kiwanis Club, and the Fraternal Order of Eagles.

Historic Matagorda County, Volume II, page 129, 2013
 

Sidney and Gertie in doorway of store
 

The widow of Sidney Denn, pictured with Superintendent Keith Brown, was presented with her
husband’s high school diploma Tuesday morning during the BCHS Veteran’s Day program.

Schools Honor Veterans
By Jonnie Montalbo

The program also featured a special presentation honoring WWII Veteran Sidney Denn posthumously, awarding his high school diploma to his widow, Gertrude.

Bay City Tribune, November 12, 2014
 

Gertrude "Gertie" Denn
 

Sidney Denn

Sidney Denn, 72, of Bay City, passed away Nov. 6, 1996 at Matagorda General Hospital, Bay City.

He was born April 6, 1924 in Bay City to Joe and Bertha Schwartz Denn. Sidney attended the Jefferson Davis School. On a December afternoon in 1942, Bay City High School classes were dismissed to give a send-off for Sidney Denn and Francis Denbow, who were leaving for military service. Classmates, teachers, friends, and family assembled at the old Missouri Pacific Depot to bid the boys farewell. Sidney joined the U. S. Army Air Corps and was stationed  first at Fort Sam Houston in San Antonio. After several transfers, he arrived at Hickham Field, Hawaii, with the 1521st Air Transport Command. In February of 1946, Sidney returned to Bay City to work at the Joe Denn Grocery. Sidney married Gertrude Estelle Rosenzweig of Houston on Sept. 1, 1946. Sidney and Gertrude moved to New Orleans, Louisiana in December, 1946, but returned to Bay City in 1947 to enter into business with his two brothers Herman and Manuel. Sidney was a member of Shearith Israel Congregation of Wharton, where he served on the Board of Directors. In 1947, they were charter members of Beth David Center in Bay City. He was a member of B'nai Brith of Wharton and the Bay City Masonic Lodge 865. In 1961, Sidney was a charter member of the Ricebelt Kiwanis Club and served as its president several times. He was a diligent worker with the Boy Scouts and received one of their highest honors, the Silver Beaver Award. He was a member of the Bay City V. F. W. and American Legion of Bay City and Blessing. Sidney also served on the First Home Rule Charter Commission for the City of Bay City.

He is survived by his wife of 50 years, Gertrude Rosenzweig Denn of Bay City, by four sons and daughters-in-law, Bernard and Gail Denn of Oxnard, CA, Steve and Dena Denn of Dallas, Brian and Aviva Denn of En Gedi, Israel and Meyer Denn of Santa Monica, CA; by his grand children, Roan Denn of St. Paul, MN; Erica and Daniella Denn of Dallas; Tome, Mori, Brit and Yosef Denn of En Gedi, Israel. He is also survived by a brother, Herman Denn of Houston, by numerous nieces and nephews, and countless friends. He was preceded in death by his parents, Joe and Bertha Denn; by one sister, Ethel Denn Hoffman; and one brother, Manuel Denn.

Services were held 3 p. m. Thursday, Nov. 7, 1996 at Shearith Israel Congregation in Wharton, TX, with Rabbi Moshe Cahana officiating. Interment was in Shearith Israel Cemetery, Wharton, TX.

Pallbearers were Sidney Schwartz, Milton Greenberg, Larry Wadler, Michael Wadler, Ben Rosenberg and Scott Chanin. Honorary pallbearers were Herman Denn, Abe Rosenzweig, Avrom Denn, Edwin Gay, Nathan Blum, Larry Greenberg, and David Seligman. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the Wharton Chapter of Hadassah, 1217 LaDelle, Wharton, TX. 77488. Arrangements with Taylor Bros. Funeral Home.

Daily Tribune, November 7, 1996
 

Joe Denn Family     Herman Denn Family     Manuel Denn Family     Denn Brothers Sporting Goods

Photos and articles courtesy of Meyer Denn
 

Denn Seeks Council Post

Running on a youth ticket, Meyer Denn has filed for Position 3 of the City Council of Bay City.

Denn, a lifetime resident of Bay City and a member of a family that has served the community for over 60 years, is the first teenager to ever file for city office and says he feels it is time for the voice of the community's youth to be heard.

He says he feels that youthfulness does not cloud vision, nor does it breed prejudices.

"It is time the younger generation takes a more active part in government," he said. "And a lifetime in a community hones a person's judgment."

Denn expresses the issues he feels as top priority are streets, drainage, sewer and water problems facing the city.

"If we are to grow as a community, we must provide the services demanded by our current and projected population."

He says he feels strongly about law enforcement and the need for expansion in the police department, "because of the rapid growth of the city already experienced and that, which is expected to come."

The youthful candidate says he would like to make a lot of promises, but the only promise he can make at this time is, "I will make the very best effort I can, on behalf of the taxpayers of Bay City."

He says, "I will also judge each issue...to the utmost of my ability." He explained any issue that is not clearly understood will be thoroughly researched before being voted upon.

Denn urges everyone to register before the March 4 deadline and to exercise their voting privilege by voting in the April 4 City Council elections.

Daily Tribune, February 27, 1981
 

First Teenager To Win Council Post
Denn Scores Upset Victory Over Powers
By Tim Costello

Meyer Denn’s energetic campaign proved successful Saturday as the youthful candidate narrowly edged incumbent Jimmy Powers and challenger Joan Dickerson in the three-way race for Bay City Council Position No. 3.
 

Unofficially, Denn emerged with a 44-vote advantage over Powers, who had been seeking his second straight term as councilman.
 

Denn polled 1,060 votes to Powers’ total of 1,016. Dickerson finished with 777.
 

Unchallenged incumbents Georgia Herreth and Pasqual Martinez retained their council posts. Each gathered more than 2,000 votes..

“I’m delighted,” Denn said shortly after hearing the results. “I think the people of Bay City have made a choice.”
 

The 19-year-old Denn said the key to his victory was a highly visible campaign. In contrast, the incumbent’s campaign efforts were less outgoing.
 

“I won by I wouldn’t say a large margin,” Denn acknowledged, “but I definitely attribute the victory to the door-to-door, the going out and meeting people, shaking hands, finding out what the people think of the problems.
 

“And it doesn’t stop here,” he added. “This is the beginning. Now it’s time to stop campaigning and start working.”
 

Powers dejectedly accepted the defeat, denying any plans to challenge the unofficial totals.

“There will definitely be no recount,” Powers said afterward. “I feel like that’s what the people wanted and they got it. I have no bad taste or nothing.”

Powers also acknowledged that Denn’s more active campaign possible could have been a factor in the election, but the councilman did not express any regrets about his own approach.

“That’s the way I’ve run all the campaigns I’ve ever run,” Powers said. “That’s the way I feel and I wouldn’t change it on the next one.”

Denn said he would welcome the public’s close observation of his performance. “I feel that I’m an energetic person,” he said. “I’m ready to put the energy in to it.”

Herreth and Martinez were thankful in being re-elected to second consecutive terms.

“It feels great,” said Martinez, who garnered 2,162 votes. “This is my first time that I’ve run uncontested. I feel real proud of it and I’m real glad that all the people get out and vote.”

Martinez declined to immediately comment on the potential for a change under a new mayor’s administration. “I would rather not make any comment until we get into it.”

“I think any new administration and a new councilman are going to make changes, I’m sure,” said Herreth, who received 2,170 votes. “I hope there will be as much cooperation on the council as we have had.”

Denn said the new council must now work to bring the community back together.
 

Bay City’s Youngest Councilman Making Mark in Israel
By Sheri Denton

Many flocked to Bay City this weekend for the class of 1980 reunion, but few traveled further than Meyer Denn, class of 1980 student council president and Bay City’s youngest councilman in history.

Denn was elected councilman at the age of 18 and served under the leadership of former mayor Glen White in the early 80s. After being educated at the University of Texas and a 12-year stay in Los Angeles, the Jewish success joined his older brother in Israel and has spent the last three years learning about the small country’s history and unpredictable future.

About a month ago, Bay City Lion Sam Maglitto located Denn on the internet and asked him to come and tell other Lions about his experiences in Israel. Last Friday, Denn spoke to the group during a regular meeting. He not only had them laughing out loud about his Bay City memories, but told of a country in constant turmoil despite booming economic success.

Israel, a country so small that it only takes five and a half hours to drive across from top to bottom, is surrounded by countries under totalitarian rule.

“Every hour in Israel, things get quiet all over and everyone tunes into the radio to hear the latest reports,” said Denn. “it’s not like here in America where you can miss the news for a couple of days and not be affected. In Israel, the state of the democracy is always at risk.”
 

Yet, there are more cellular phones per capita in Israel than in any other country and more personal computers per household.
 

The average salary in Israel is about $18,000, just $5,000 under America’s average.

Israel has a lower infant mortality rate than the United States and its economy has supported over one million immigrants that have come to Israel over the past 10 years. That’s equal to the United States absorbing France.

“We are a Western society surrounded by an Eastern mentality,” said Denn.

Though relations with neighboring Egypt and Jordan are improving, according to Denn, men and women in Israel are still required to serve in the army. Men are enrolled from age 18 to 21 and women from age 18 to 20.

“I do miss the states,” said Denn, “but as an American Jew, I feel it is my contribution to be in Israel and help change history. The Jewish people are the only culture to remain alive and unchanged through 2,000 years of being cast out of their homeland.”

Like most Americans, Denn goes to his eight-to-five job every day. He works as a public relations consultant and grant writer for a social service agency.

He has spent the last two years studying to be licensed with the Ministry of Tourism. He’s learned about Israel’s archeology, politics and religions so that he can teach visitors about the significance of the country and especially the city of Jerusalem.

“I’d love to host a group from Bay City who are interested in visiting Israel,” Denn said. “Everyone I meet over there hears about Bay City and its characters.”

Two of Denn’s favorite Bay City characters are Glen and Maxine White, who always insist that Denn stay with them during his visits.

“Meyer was a great councilman,” said White, “and though we had our disagreements, we also had a lot of laughs.”

“Bay City will always be home,” Denn said.

It is where his late father Sidney Denn and mother Gertie Denn of Houston operated Denn Bros. Sporting Goods.

Denn says his experiences as councilman here have broaden his perspective on life and an trip to the Middle East when he was younger helped him appreciate freedom.

Denn says September 13 will be a day that goes down in history because that is when Palestine’s ruler will announce whether or not Israel is to become a Palestinian state.

“I don’t think that the future of Israel is bleak, but we are very concerned,” Denn said. “We all want peace, but we don’t want peace at any price.

Daily Tribune, June 28, 2000
 

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