Dennis J. Sparrow, 54, of Wareham, died July 6. He was the husband of Donna J. (Burnham) Sparrow, and the son of Anne M. (Horgan) Sparrow and the late Edward J. Sparrow.

He was born in Providence and resided in Fairhaven prior to settling in Wareham.

Mr. Sparrow was a graduate of The Tabor Academy Class of 1980 and he worked full-time as an Aircraft Mechanic Supervisor for the Army Aviation Support Facility No. 1 located on Joint Base Cape Cod (Otis). “Birdie,” as friends called him, enjoyed tuna fishing.

Mr. Sparrow served in both the United States Army and the Massachusetts Army National Guard for a total of 33 years, with a culminating rank of First Sergeant. His overseas military service included an assignment in Germany, and two deployments to Kuwait/Iraq in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation New Dawn. 1SG Sparrow’s decorations include the Army Air Medal, Army Commendation Medal (3 Oak Leaf Clusters), Overseas Service Ribbon (3rd), Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary/Service Medal, Massachusetts Service Medal w/ Gold Eagle, and the United States Army Master Aviation Badge.

Survivors include his wife, Donna J. (Burnham) Sparrow of Wareham; his mother, Anne M. (Horgan) Sparrow of Dartmouth; his children, Sean Sparrow, Brian Sparrow, Sarah Sparrow and Paul Sparrow all of Sandwich; 2 step children, Lean Nelson and Richard Nelson, Jr. both of Wareham; 1 sister, Deborah Larson and her husband Gary of Amesbury, 2 brothers, William Sparrow and his wife Bonnie of Freetown, and Edward Sparrow and his wife Patricia of Norfolk, 5 step grandchildren, and several nieces and nephews. He was the brother of the late Richard Sparrow.

Visiting hours were held on Sunday, July 12, from 1 to 4 p.m. at Chapman Cole & Gleason Funeral Home, 2599 Cranberry Highway. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held Monday, July 13, at 10 a.m. at Saint Patrick's Church, 82 High Street, Wareham, MA 02571. Burial ceremony to follow at the Mass. National Cemetery, Connery Ave., Bourne, MA 02532.

Donations in his memory may be made to Fisher House Boston, P.O. Box 230, S. Walpole, MA 02071 (fisherhouseboston.org). For directions and on-line guestbook visit: www.ccgfuneralhome.com