Former Daily Herald ad exec remembered as friend to all

A former Daily Herald advertising sales executive is being remembered for the mark he made on the business and on his clients and co-workers who became lifelong friends.

Dennis Johnson, a Huntley resident who was a staple of the Daily Herald advertising department from 1981 until his retirement in 2007, died Friday following a 3½-year battle with lung cancer. He was 73.

Known to friends as Denny, the Oak Park native became known in the homebuilders community as the go-to contact to buy newspaper ad space during the suburban housing booms of the 1980s and 1990s.

"Happy and outgoing, he was so well-liked and respected in the office and outside - attributes that made him one of our best salesmen, a great Daily Herald ambassador and wonderful person," said Doug Ray, chairman, publisher & CEO of the Daily Herald Media Group.

Gary Davis, specialty projects manager for the Daily Herald, was a colleague and also among Johnson's closest circle of friends. He said Johnson's warm, outgoing and honest personality was one reason he excelled in sales.

"You buy from people you trust, and everybody liked Denny," Davis said. Johnson grew his class of advertising "by immense proportions," Davis said, adding many of his longtime clients considered Johnson a personal friend.

One of them, David Branch, met Johnson when Branch was vice president of sales and marketing for Pulte Homes. They often roomed together on yearly fishing trips Johnson would organize to Vermilion Bay, Canada.

Johnson, Branch said, was the life of the party, but also on the receiving end of good-natured ribbing. Branch called him the "silver dog," for his meticulously groomed appearance.

"He had such a penchant about his hair and pencil mustache, he constantly made sure it was perfect," Branch said. "I'd say, 'You've never seen a mirror you couldn't walk by, could you, buddy?'"

Another former co-worker, Jim Salvetti, at one time lived a block from Johnson in Sun City Huntley, where they and their wives moved after retirement.

Salvetti says he, Johnson and Davis - the "Three Musketeers" - spent a lot of time with each other, especially out on the golf course.

"He was charismatic and just an extremely caring person," Salvetti said of Johnson. "To say he'd give you the shirt off his back I don't think is a strong enough suggestion. Denny was like a brother to me."

Johnson is survived by his wife Paula, son T.J., daughter Christine, and granddaughter Alexa. A celebration of life will be held from 3 to 8 p.m. Thursday at Pinecrest Golf and Country Club, 11220 W. Algonquin Road in Huntley.