Dennis Wayne Mena of San Jose, CA died on December 17, 2022 after a 17 year battle with Myesthenia Gravis. He was 77 years old. He was born on December 4, 1945 in Sunnyvale CA to parents Joseph & Mary (Fernandez) Mena. He graduated from Fremont High School '63 and San Jose State in 1972. Dennis was in the US Air Force working as a radio operator in counter intelligence. He attended the Language Institute in Monterey to learn Mandarin, and spoke Spanish fluently. He married Elaine Stenger on August 8, 1970 at St. Clare Church in Santa Clara after meeting her bowling. He was a career employee for the Employment Development Department on Bascom Avenue until his retirement.

Dennis is survived by his wife of 52 years, Elaine, daughter Lori (Tim), grandchildren Cal and Payton Zemaitis, brother Alan (Patti), niece Mandi, nephew Matt, numerous Mena, Sanchez, and Fernandez cousins, and many friends.

Dennis was a big fan of the 49ers, the SF Giants, and the Golden State Warriors. He loved history, books, watching old movies, taking pictures of family and friends, Spanish foods, traveling to SLO, and watching Cal play baseball, and Payton dance.

Services will include a Rosary at 7pm on Wednesday, December 28 at Spangler Mortuary in Los Alto, and a Celebration of Life Mass at 10am on Thursday, December 29 at St. Simon Catholic Church, followed by a burial with Honor Guard at The Gates of Heaven Cemetery.