Denis E. Ables

denis ables

May 28, 1935 ~ December 4, 2023


Resided in: Vienna, Virginia

Denis E. Ables of Vienna, VA joined his beloved wife, Patricia, in eternity on Monday, December
4, 2023, age 88. He was a devoted and treasured father to five children, grandpa to six
grandchildren and great-grandpa to three.

Born on May 28, 1935 in Bedford, Ohio to Elsa Carva Ables and Earl Otto Ables, he lived most
of his youth in Maple Heights, Ohio and Marvell, Arkansas. His parents divorced when he was
four and he and his mother were taken in by generous, kind relatives during his growing up
years (Rose and Sam Murukis; Marie Carva; Gus and Lizzie Drehr; Frank and Allie Mae Ables).

From 1953-57, Denis served in the US Coast Guard out of Mobile, AL; Groton, CT; New
Orleans, LA; and Corpus Christi, TX. While in New Orleans, he struck gold on a blind date
where he met his future wife. After their marriage, they resided in New Orleans for several
years while he attended Tulane University and obtained a degree in Physics with a minor in
Mathematics. Their first two daughters were born while they were in New Orleans and he was
in college. They moved to Old Saybrook, CT for a job he accepted at Pratt & Whitney and
another daughter and son joined the family. Then on to Falls Church, VA for a new job and the
birth of their youngest son. In 1971 the family moved to Vienna, VA to the home where Denis
resided at death.

Denis worked for various companies in his earlier years, but his life’s work was at Social &
Scientific Systems (now DLH Holdings, Silver Spring, MD), the company he co-founded and
successfully grew for 30 years where he served as Executive Vice President.

In different eras of his life, he rotated through various hobbies and devoted himself to them
passionately. Some of them include fishing; sail boating; golfing; building his retirement dream
home in Virginia’s Northern Neck (NNK), “Rivah House,” that accommodated his expanded
family and friends for weekends and holiday visits; various boating activities in the NNK on his
Glacier Bay cruising/fishing boat, Boston Whaler motor boat and kayaks; managing his own
finances and helping everyone in the family with theirs; discussing various political interests,
deeply researching and trying to fully understand them, and frequently sending his insights to
newspaper “letters to the editor” sections; researching and acquiring and experimenting with
alternative health products and solutions and giving advice and recommendations to his loved
ones on how to stay healthy; enjoying pickle ball sporadically.

A devoted, loving, generous father to his clan, he loved nothing more than being surrounded by
all of them. He was a big tease and had a wonderful, infectious laugh. If you were related to
him, he was very easy to impress and was exuberant about all of our endeavors, no matter
how small. Always stoic, we rarely, if ever, heard him complain about any of life’s difficult or
annoying circumstances….he just plowed through what needed to be done.

He is pre-deceased by his wife of 63 years, Patricia Haase Ables, and his daughter, Erin
Patricia Ables. Denis is survived by four very grateful children (spouses): Denise Ables
Belyavsky (Mikhail), Reston, VA; Julie Ables Chapin, Vienna, VA; Edward Haase Ables (Linda),
Nokesville, VA; and Geoffrey Ables (June), Huntersville, NC….six adoring grandchildren:
Rachel Jordan Belyavsky, Alexandria, VA; Zoe Patricia Belyavsky, Denver, CO; Mallorie Lynn
Terranova (PJ), Virginia Beach, VA; Lauren Michelle Tramaglini (Jared), Lookout Mountain, GA;
William Henry Shanahan, IV, Fairfax, VA; Elizabeth Ann Chapin, Vienna, VA….three treasured
great grandchildren: Theodore Evergreen Tramaglini; Milo Walker Blaine-Belyavsky; and Maple
Eloise Tramaglini…as well as close extended family Carolyn Antonina Haase and Steven
Ovenden (Deloris), Townshend, VT. Furry family members through the years included
Beauregard, Demi, Fluffy and JD—the cats— and Georgie Girl I and II, BooBoo, and Java—the
dogs.

Services
Celebration of Life
Friday, December 15, 2023, 1pm
Money & King Funeral Home (Chapel)
171 Maple Ave, W
Vienna, VA. 22180
Private, family only, burial at Fairfax Memorial Park.

Denis (and Pat) gave regularly to a long list of charities and didn’t have a favorite. So, in lieu of
flowers, it would be lovely to make a donation to the charity of your choice in his name.

Services

Celebration of Life: December 15, 2023 1:00 pm - 2:00 pm

Money and King Funeral Home
171 W. Maple Ave.
Vienna, VA 22180

703-938-7440

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Guestbook

  1. Julie and family,
    Our thoughts and prayers will be with you during this difficult time. Take comfort in knowing he is finally with your Mom who was the love of his life

  2. We are so sorry to hear of your loss. Blessings and condolences to your family
    Love, Barry and Patt

  3. From our family to yours, we share your grief and offer our deepest most heartfelt condolences on the loss of your Dad. May God our Heavenly Father give you his peace during this time.

  4. Our family sends the greatest love and abudent prayers for all of you I remember him when I was young. A great man now resting with Aunt Patsy. The Johnson Family from Louisiana

  5. Denis was always so happy & loved talking about UFOs & alternative heath solutions. Knew Pat & Denis for years but really got to know him playing pickleball together. I know he is now at peace with his lovely wife, Pat We all will miss him & his infectious smile. My prayers are with you all

  6. Dear Geoff and family,

    Our thoughts and prayers go out to you and your family at this time. I am grateful for your friendship and having known your father. He was a great man that we looked up to. I hope this is a special time for you and your family as you remember the great times with him in your lives and celebrate his life. What a blessing we all have for the hope of our resurrection through our Savior Jesus Christ.

    With love,
    Reed A. Probst and family

  7. Our hearts go out to you at this difficult time. We pray your loving memories never fade and you keep your loved ones in your heart as you go forward.


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