Rev. Dennis Timothy Durasoff

Rev. Dennis Timothy Durasoff, 77, after a courageous 2 year battle with ALS went home to be with his Lord and Savior Jesus Christ on Wednesday, November 1, 2023.

Born in Brooklyn, NY he resided in Kingwood Township, NJ most of his life. Dennis graduated from Delaware Valley Regional High School with the friendly & outgoing Class of 1964. He was an active member of the Kingwood Township Volunteer Fire Company for 17 years. He was the manager of The Corner Store in Baptistown, NJ for 19 years, before working at Johanna Farms in Flemington, NJ for 6 years. During that time, Dennis felt a deep personal call on his life to go into the ministry. Following the call, he & his family sold their house, packed up & headed off to Bible college. Dennis graduated from the University of Valley Forge with a double-major, B.S. in Bible & Pastoral Ministry. After several months, he & his family moved back to his hometown of Baptistown, NJ, with the intention of planting a church in the nearby area. In 1992 he started the Shepherd of the Valley Church at the Riegel Ridge, YMCA. In 1994, he was ordained by the New Jersey District Counsel of the Assemblies of God. After the YMCA closed, the congregation met for the next 6 years at the Holland Township Elementary School. As the church continued to grow, they purchased 6 acres of land on Spring Mills Road and began construction on a beautiful multi-level sanctuary built primarily by church members. After a two-year building program, the first service in the new building was held on August 18, 1998. Rev. Durasoff led the services there for a loving & generous church family with a passion to serve the Lord for a total of 21 years. Upon retirement from the church, Dennis spent 9 years as a bus driver for the Delaware Valley High School Transportation Department.

Dennis leaves behind the love of his life, his wife of 51 Years, Catherine; a son Dennis, his wife Amanda & grandson Bailey of New Freedom, PA; a daughter (and fabulous caregiver) Misty; his brother George & his wife Celeste of Gastonia, NC. He was predeceased by his sister, Barbara Rowand of Fort Myers, FL; and his parents George & Stella Durasoff of Pine Hill, NJ. Dennis had over 40 first cousins. Dennis loved the Lord Jesus Christ, and prayed that his friends & relatives would accept Christ as their own personal Savior, and meet him in heaven on that great day! At the end of his notes, cards, and letters he would often write, “Jesus loves you, and so do I!” Amen!

The family would like to thank Compassion Care Hospice for their wonderful help & support.

A Celebration of Life service will be held at Shepherd of the Valley Church, 45 Spring Mills Rd., Milford, NJ 08848 on Saturday, December 2nd at 1pm. Refreshments following.


Arrangements are under the care of Johnson-Walton Funeral Home, 24 Church Road, Milford, NJ 08848.

Condolences

From: Pati Leap
Sincere condolences to Dennis' family.

From: Sharon Getz
I am so sorry to hear of Dennis passing. My heart goes out to you all. He is a child of God and he will be waiting in heaven. Cathy I’m a phone call away.

From: Cindy Bartley
So sorry and shocked to hear about pastor Dennis. What a great great loss for the world… and tremendous gain for Heaven. Like I’m sure many others will say, pastor Dennis touched my life in a way it has never been the same. Such a special soul. Baptizing me in 2012 at the age of thirty one, “My chains are gone…. I’ve been set free.” He was truly a God send on this earth and will be missed. My condolences, prayers and sympathy to Cathy and the entire family. I’m so very sorry for your loss.

From: Ray Crowell
So sorry to hear of Dennis’ passing. So sad. My mom had ALS too.

From: Barbara Melton
Jim and I send our deepest condolences to the Durasoff family. Kathy, you and Pastor Dennis have had a special place in my heart for many years. You were always so kind and encouraging to me. The love you have for Jesus and for each other was an inspiration. Kathy I pray God's loving arms comfort and give you peace during this time of temporary separation from your loved one. God bless you.

From: Frances K Petiet
Cathy and family, we have been friends many years, afterall, Dennis and I were good friends from freshmen year at Del Val, I have too many words to express so I guess this says it all anyway, hugs and kisses to all of you, love Fran and family

From: Mary E Sunday
Cathy and family: My deepest sympathy goes out to you all. I have known Dennis for what seems all my life. We went to Kingwood School together and DelVal Class of '64. You should be so proud of his accomplishments and know he touched the hearts of many. He has found peace with God after a hard fight with a horrible disease. He will missed and remembered with a smile. Mary & Doug Sunday

From: Jim Niezgoda
So sorry to hear about the death of Pastor Durasoff. Prayers & condolences for you all.

From: Glenn Brown
I will never forget Dennis. Dennis is the reason I am a believer today. The date was March 17th 1982. Dennis and I worked together and I went to church on a dare. That night I gave my live to Jesus. May God richly bless Kathy and family at this time of loss. Someday we shall all be together again. With much love Glenn Brown

From: Audrey and Bob Niezgoda
We are very saddened to hear of Pastor Dennis’s passing. He was a wonderful pastor and such a kind man. He will be missed. Our sincere condolences.

From: Brooks and Victoria Case
We are so sorry to hear of your loss. Wishing you peace during this difficult time. Our thoughts and prayers are with you and your family.

From: Brooks and Victoria Case
We are so sorry to hear of your loss. Wishing you peace during this difficult time. Our thoughts and prayers are with you and your family.

From: Ellanora Campbell Hamill
Dennis and I became friends in high school when we had some classes together. Although I moved away from the area not long after graduation, it was always nice to see him at reunions and to get to know Cathy. He was great about staying in touch with friends through email and will be missed by all of us. My sincere condolences to Cathy and all of the family.

From: Patricia Ann (Opdyke) Mills
My thoughts & prayers are with the entire family at this time. Dennis was a special friend as we started kindergarten together at the elementary school in Kingwood and went all the way through high school together. I knew when we were growing up, God had something special for him to do. I also know I will see him again in heaven which is something wonderful to look forward too. Sincerely, Patricia Mills

From: JUDITH a VARGO
He had an extraordinary smile. He prayed for me years ago and I never forgot his sincerity or kindness. Sending my love and prayers to Cathy and their son and daughter. He can smile again with God.

From: Marie Miller
Dear Cathy, Dennis & Misty.So very sad to hear this sad news. Sending our deepest condolences, love,prayers & our deepest sympathy!! Marie, Carla, Kurt and Keith Miller..

From: Stan & Janet Reut
Our hearts a crying and happy at the same time He is singing happily with the Lord Jesus Christ now! Our deepest condolences for his family! We will be all be dancing in heaven one day

From: Adam and Heather Belle
Cathy, Misty, Denny, Amanda and Bailey, So many wonderful childhood memories flood my mind as I think back over the years about Pastor Dennis and your family… the most prominent of which was that Denny’s drum playing was always too loud whenever Pastor was trying to take a nap :-) He taught us kids how to work together to make a “whirlpool” in your backyard pool, then, when he gave the order, we would all lift up our feet, and be carried round and round in the current - what fun! He made sure Denny didn’t swing the hammock too high for us girls, as we were always afraid of falling out. Johanna Farms chocolate milk, orange juice and Ssips juice boxes were always waiting for us when we came in from playing in the “crick” with Amos, your faithful German Shepherd. And then there was singing songs to Jesus when we carpooled to church for our week of Kid’s Crusade summer fun. “I am a C…. I am a CH…. I am a CHRISTIAN” was my all-time favorite! Fast forward to when we kids grew up and had children of our own. Adam and I raised our family at Shepherd of the Valley and we are privileged to have had Pastor Dennis baptize both of our children and marry our son. What a blessing his life has been to so many… certainly to ours. Our hearts and prayers are with you as you celebrate him and his life well lived. Pastor Dennis… husband, father, grandfather, friend.

From: Steve and Sue Zdepski
Oh, how rich the memories… From the moment Cathy & I first met, the friendship we shared was instant, lasting & sure. Precious beyond words are the memories of raising our families together in the Lord. Dennis, Cathy, Denny, Misty – Thank you for the memories… they will never be forgotten. We laughed much; We enjoyed much; We were blessed much. And Dennis, we will see you again.

From: Nancy Egan
Sending much love and condolences from Troy & Trevor Hinson, & Jim & Nancy Egan. Love Pastor & Durasoff family so much. Praying for The Lord’s peace and comfort.

Send a Condolence

Due to various reasons, some people who wish to attend the visitation and/or funeral for someone are unable to. With an online condolence, your personal message is assured to get to the family of the deceased.

Please fill out the following form and click submit when you are finished. The Funeral Directors will ensure that the family receives your note of sympathy.