Dennis H. Ostrom

Dennis H. Ostrom, a lifelong music enthusiast, dedicated collector, and talented vocal harmony singer, passed away at Hackensack Medical Center on October 7, 2026, at the age of 79. In his final days, he was comforted by the presence of his sister by his side.

Born in Nyack, New York, to Henry and Helen Ostrom, Dennis grew up in Orangeburg, NY, surrounded by his parents, four siblings, and near his grandparents, and many aunts, uncles and cousins.

In 1966, Dennis was drafted into the United States Army, serving proudly as a Military Policeman stationed at Fort Jackson, SC. During his service to his country, he earned the National Defense Service Medal, the Good Conduct Medal, and the Sharpshooter badge for his exceptional marksmanship. Following his honorable discharge, he made his way back to Orangeburg for a brief time and then followed to Little Ferry, NJ, before ultimately settling in Hackensack, NJ, for the remainder of his years.

Professionally, Dennis spent over 20 years at Glenshaw Glass in Orangeburg, NY, working in various positions. He later transitioned to a role in sales at a CD mastering & duplication company, a career path that was closer to his heart and true lifelong passion: music.

An avid and legendary collector of music media, Dennis began his journey with Vinyl LPs and 45s, eventually expanding his collection into the thousands. As technology evolved, he embraced every trending format, amassing immense libraries of Reel-to-Reel Tapes, Cassette Tapes, Compact Discs, DVDs, and MiniDiscs, building each collection to incredible proportions.

Dennis was a pillar of the local music community as a dedicated member of The TNT North Jersey Rhythm & Blues and Doo Wop Party and The United in Group Harmony Association (UGHA), as well as a cherished regular with his many "Breakfast Club" buddies who met routinely for many years.

Not only was Dennis devoted to collecting music, but he was also passionate about participating in it. Dennis was an Acappella and R&B Harmony group singer in several groups throughout his lifetime including the Citadels, Vibranique 5, Curious Mellos, 9W North and The Bonaires. One of his most exceptional musical achievements was The Blue Sky Boys, a visionary project that showcased his exceptional talent as a one-man group, meticulously overdubbing rich four-part harmonies behind his own lead vocals.

Although music and record collecting were true passions in his life, more importantly he treasured his family and the friendships/connections that he built within the music community over the years. He spoke so fondly of all the fellow collectors, music lovers and friends he met throughout his lifetime.

In Dennis’s memory, may we all follow his example of finding joy in the simple pleasures of music and friendship. Please consider donating to the charities that he supported on a regular basis: The Tunnel to Towers Foundation, (t2t.org) or The Special Olympics (www.specialolympics.org).