After a long battle with Alzheimer�s disease, Mr. Dennis I. Scherr, 68, of Fernandina Beach passed away Tuesday, June 2, 2020, at the Douglas Center for Caring in Jacksonville.

Born in Baltimore, MD, he was a son of the late Sylvan �Jerry� and Lena �Lee� (Goldberg) Scherr.

After graduating from Milford Mill High School in 1970, Dennis enlisted in the U. S. Navy. He served on the U.S.S. Talbot as a Culinary Specialist. After his Navy stint, he attended and graduated from the University of Maryland with a B.S. in Special Education. While at the University of Maryland he fell in love with Peggy Hennessey and in 1976 they married.

After college, Dennis and Peg joined his parents and siblings, Mickey and Lisa, in their family business, Sherry�s Jewelers, in Laurel, MD. He continued the business into its second generation. After vigorous study, he earned the prestigious degree of Graduate Gemologist from the Gemological Institute of America. At the time, Dennis was the only Certified Jewelry Insurance Appraiser in the State of Maryland. In 2006 he made the difficult decision to close the business.

More importantly, Dennis and Peggy raised their loving and close family in Eldersburg, MD. In 2015, Dennis and Peg moved to Fernandina Beach and quickly made this their home. Dennis volunteered with our local Meals on Wheels and helped with Project C.H.A.N.C.E., an organization that trains service dogs for autistic children. While he was still able, he raised funds and participated in the Jacksonville Walk to End Alzheimer�s. He was a member of the American Legion, Post 54, in Fernandina.

Dennis devoured books and was particularly fond of reading Stephen King and biographies. Music of all varieties, skiing and singing were only a few of his interests. Mostly, Dennis was a people person and he will be remembered as kind and loving.

He leaves behind his wife of 44 years, Peggy Hennessey Scherr of Fernandina Beach; his daughters, Amy Vander Veer and her husband, Shaun, of Westminister, MD, Laura Seidman and her husband, Matthew, of Wellington, FL and his son, Brian Scherr of Finksburg, MD; his brother, Meyer �Mickey� Scherr and his wife Charlotte of Baltimore, MD; his sister Lisa Scherr and her companion, Tom Sinor, of Fernandina Beach; four beautiful grandchildren, Caleb, Addie, Olivia, and Mia as well as other extended family members including aunts, cousins, many nieces, nephews, great nieces and nephews, and great-great nieces and nephews. Dennis loved Peg�s parents and her siblings Danny, Kathleen, Sarah and Mary, who were his �bonus� brother and sisters. His childhood Baltimore friends, Dr. Craig and Bonnie (Holtzman) Dickman, Jan Rosenthal and the late Maurice Schochet were always close to his heart and Dennis loved to talk about their many funny and often daring escapades!

The family is planning a gathering to remember and celebrate Dennis� life in the near future.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Jacksonville Walk to End Alzheimer�s http://act.alz.org/goto/DennisScherr or the Nassau County Council on Aging, 1901 Island Walk Way, Fernandina Beach FL 32034.