Michael “Mike” William Denius

April 28, 1943 - August 8, 2022

Michael “Mike” William Denius, 79, a resident of Alva, FL for the past 20 years, formerly of Tavernier, FL, passed away Monday, August 8, 2022 in Lehigh Acres, FL. He was born April 28, 1943 in Williamsport, PA to Walter and Eleanor Denius, now deceased.

In 1973, Mike moved to Tavernier where is half-brother, Jim Thomas (deceased) lived, father of Hal Thomas, local surveyor. Mike and his son, Todd formed Denius Construction, building concrete docks, house foundations, and homes in the Upper Keys. Mike was an avid and well respected tennis player.  He also loved to fish the back country of the Florida Bay and Flamingo.  Upon moving to Alva, he single handedly built a 7 stall barn, corrals and ran a horse boarding business with his wife, Marcia. There Mike learned the fine points of horsemanship and even trained a few of his own horses. 

He is survived by his wife of over 41 years, Marcia Denius of Alva; three children, Todd Denius of Canon City, CO, Kristine Danzig of Tavernier and Amy Denius, also of Tavernier; stepdaughter, Leslie Fausett of Alva; nine grandchildren; as well as two great grandchildren.

No formal services are planned at this time. His family will be commemorating him at a later date in the Keys. 

Memorial Contributions in memory of Michael “Mike” William Denius may be made to his widow or to Hope Hospice, 9470 Healthpark Circle, Fort Myers, FL 33908.

Mullins Memorial Funeral Home & Cremation Service, Fort Myers, is entrusted with final care.

Guestbook

  1. James W Zellers Aug 17, 2022 at 11:33 am

    Best friend !!! I knew how he felt about me and he knew how I felt about him.
    He loved his family and I know he will be missed. Your sorrow is felt and shared by
    my family also. Wanting someday to visit again. May all of you be safe and watch over
    each other..
    Mike we loved you ,we’ll miss you but we will never forget you. May you rest in peace !!!

  2. Sammi jenen Aug 18, 2022 at 3:06 pm

    Mike was a very kind and understanding man who will be missed deeply. I often think of the trail riders we took at his place when my mare was boarded there. May god bless his family.

  3. Wendy Watson Canavan and Beth Watson and family Aug 18, 2022 at 3:13 pm

    Please accept the condolences of our whole family – Marcia, my mom forwards hers as well. You and Mike shared my parents love of horses and she misses being able to visit with you. Our love and prayers always,

  4. Jeff and Gabriel Rennison Aug 18, 2022 at 3:52 pm

    Gabe and I will miss Mr. Mike. He would ask almost every day “Do you think Mr. Mike needs help with the horses or fixing fences? We should go see!”

  5. Tim Neely Aug 18, 2022 at 5:31 pm

    I had a small plastering company in the upper keys in the seventies, probably did 15-20 jobs for Mike mostly small, complicated, difficult, unique jobs. Mike somehow made them “doable”, not an easy task. When I decided to leave the keys and go to college he was encouraging and helpful. I eventually got a construction management degree (UF) and have been on the professional side of the construction business for 35 years now…. thanks Mike.

  6. Glen Bigness Aug 18, 2022 at 8:58 pm

    Gone to soon, a true friend I will miss until we meet again and ride horses the rest of days…
    We sat, we talked, we shared meals and holidays, rode horses, worked around the farm and appreciated life.
    Even the occasional hurricane (Irma) couldn’t shake our need to live a rural equestrian lifestyle.
    Too often I would roll down the drive and see Mike sitting in the garage, radio on, RUSH playing and he doing his puzzle books, LOL.
    We rode through Lee and Hendry counties, enjoying life and friendship, Mike, Marcia and I rode every chance we got…
    I will surely miss you and think of you often, my thoughts and my prayers will be with you always R.I.P.
    Your friend,
    Glen

  7. Melanie Solliday Aug 18, 2022 at 10:00 pm

    Every Thanksgving Mike enjoyed me coming up to see my sister and him cuz we used to talk about football and NHRA. My sister always told me he looked forward to my visit every year.

  8. Ryne Danzig Aug 19, 2022 at 8:41 am

    Throughout my entire childhood I would visit him and my grandmother, Marcia, at the stables nearly every break I had from school. There, where I spent countless weeks every year, he instilled in me a great love for the outdoors, wildlife, and history. Whether it be through watching documentaries or seeing things in person on the trail while horseback riding, he was able to help teach me all sorts of different life experiences. All of which are cherished memories of my childhood that I will always carry with me.

    Not a day goes by where there isn’t something that can make me think back on one of these many memories. My life was made better by him. I was lucky to have him as my grandfather and I will miss him dearly.

  9. Bob Hume Aug 20, 2022 at 2:49 pm

    Of a completion from the beginning he was the best friend I ever had. Mike instantly began my doubles partner in Islamorada or in other FL Keys nearby; that was a given; I was fond of his game, and more fond of his values and opinions which he shared, and oh how we laughed. He and Marcia had me over dinner numerous times and sometimes we went water skiing or lobstering. And me, having moved away from the Keys when circumstances changed as if towards disconnect, I found his new Alva phone number and the conversations picked up where we left off. I visited the ranch numerous times and M & M and I went horseback riding. Thanks for the irreplaceable memories goodly buddy; my ability to reach out towards my favorite buddy has been severed…but oh how we laughed.

  10. Hal Thomas Aug 22, 2022 at 12:20 pm

    Mike was my favorite Uncle, almost like an older brother to me, eight years my senior. When I was 10-12 years old his Mother, my Grandmother would make him take me out in the boat with him. I think she bribed him with gas money for
    the boat, ( 0.29 per gallon ). Sometimes he had a girlfriend with him so I’m sure he wished I was somewhere else. But,
    he never showed it. He always treated me great, as a child and an adult. I can honestly say that I always enjoyed being with him. I called him almost every day for the last 15 years and we never ran out of things to talk about. I loved him very much and will always miss him. RIP Uncle Mike.

    Hal

  11. Kristine Denius Danzig Aug 30, 2022 at 8:45 pm

    My dad was one of my best friends. I talked to him almost daily. I am, probably one of the few daughters (or sons) that can not remember ever having a real disagreement with my dad. I have so many fond memories of my times with dad. Teaching us kids to water ski, back country fishing; having him teach me to tie steel and finish (the edges) of concrete, running, taking me to the tennis courts with him on weekends- the list goes on. He was also a wonderful grandfather to my 2 boys. He taught them many wonderful things as well. I remember dad and Shay playing catch (or as they called it throw and get) and dad throwing a pop up and it hitting Shay in the eye right before school photo day. Ryne and dad loved to go horseback riding together. Ryne loved helping dad in the stables. I truly believe Ryne's early love of reading came from spending his school breaks with dad. I have so many wonderful memories. It has been hard for me to put this in writing. Dad, I love you more than words can say. I miss our talks, I want to call you daily. I've lost a best friend. I love you and thank you for being my dad. I was lucky to have you as a dad. Love you

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