Dennis Andrew Sharkey, Jr., age 50, passed away suddenly on Friday, January 10, 2025, one day after his 50th birthday.

Dennis was born on January 9, 1975, to parents Dennis and Nancy.  He grew up in the Northland area of Kansas City and attended Lakewood Elementary, Eastgate Middle School and was a 1993 graduate of North Kansas City High School.  After high school Dennis worked at Lifetouch publishing and, while working full time, put himself through college; first at Maple Woods Community College and then at Northwest Missouri State University.  While attending Northwest, he was editor of the school paper and graduated in 2006 with a bachelor's degree in journalism.

Upon graduation from college, Dennis worked for a variety of news publications in the Missouri and Kansas regions.  During his journalistic career he created the Northland Buzz with his friend Cody Snapp and covered sports for the North Kansas City School District from 2022-2024.  Most recently, Dennis served as the reporter and photographer for all sports for the Platte County Citizen.

Dennis also lived in Las Vegas and Phoenix for a few years and was a personal delivery courier.  His most recent job was at SAS Merchandising as a representative for Tyson's Foods. Dennis loved sports, particularly the Kansas City Chiefs, Kansas City Royals and the Northwest Missouri State Bearcats. Dennis was very passionate about his relationship with his maternal grandmother Edna, and loved gardening.

Dennis was preceded in death by his maternal grandparents Harvey and Edna Bradley; paternal grandparents Ramon and Barbara Sharkey; uncles Greg Sharkey, Larry Sharkey, Earl Ray Bradley; aunts Wendy Sharkey and Carol Gicinto; and his mom's husband Jay Montaleone , who passed away three days prior to Dennis on January 7, 2025.

Left to cherish his memory are his mother Nancy Montaleone of the home; father Dennis Sharkey, Sr. of Orlando, Florida; many aunts, uncles, and cousins; close friends Richard and Olivia Brand, Cody Snapp and family, his Chiefs tailgating family; and his beloved rescue dog Charlie.

A celebration of his life will be held on Saturday, January 25, from 1:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. at Passantino Bros. Funeral Home. Dennis's family requests that all attendees wear their favorite clothing from Kansas City sports teams or Northwest Missouri State University. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Dennis Sharkey Jr. GoFundMe page.