Harry Denning was very active in Wakefield politics and veterans affairs. At different times, he served as Chairman of both the Board of Selectmen and the Board of Public Works. Flags in town were flown at half mast when he passed away. Mr. Denning was a Purple Heart veteran who fought in both WWI and WWII. He was also involved in many civic and church organizations. He was a graduate of the University of Vermont. He died of a heart attack in 1966 at the age of 72. His widow, Anne died in 2003 at the age of 91. She was a graduate of Madawaska Training School in Kent, Maine which is now the University of Maine. Mrs. Denning was active in the affairs of the First Congregational Church and she volunteered extensively for the American Legion Auxiliary, Veterans Administration, American Red Cross, and the Melrose-Wakefield Hospital. The Dennings raised three children in Wakefield. Joyce is their only daughter.
Scholarship Recipients
2025
- Caleb Birchem — Fairfield University
- Matthew Elwell — Saint Joseph's College, ME
- Madison Goc — Roger Williams University
- David LoCoco — University of New Hampshire
- Nicholas Valley — University of Massachusetts, Lowell
- John Whitson — Bates College
2024
- Brendan Jaena — Providence College
- Alexa Kelliher — University of New Hampshire
- Daniel Mailhoit — University of Maine – Orono
- Amanda McKean — Villanova University
- Jillian Schwartzberg — Endicott College
- Alyssa Toppi — American University
2023
- Alexander Driscoll — University of Massachusetts – Lowell
- Abigail High — Bentley University
- Cailin Hurley — Roger Williams University
- Samantha Seabury — Boston University
- Cameron Sweeney — Suffolk University
- Liana Winans — Boston College