Dennis Haines 1937-2025

He was a prominent lawyer who advocated for labor rights and civil liberties during his 65-year career. He represented teachers, policemen, firefighters and other working people in Mahoning County.

He was a true son of Youngstown who thought there was no better place on earth to live, raise a family and be happy and prosperous. His good deeds, support, and wisdom touched the lives of thousands and his legacy of ethical and just action will survive him.

Dennis was born to a loving and doting family that included parents, Morris and Bess, and sister, Phyllis. He graduated from Ohio University in 1959 and earned his J.D. from George Washington University in 1962 while clerking for presidential nominee Adlai Stevenson. Dennis began practicing “grass roots law” and would later become managing partner of Green, Haines, and Sgambati.

He carries the Martindale-Hubble Law Directory’s highest rating and as honored with the Mahoning County Bar Professionalism Award in 2005. He was recognized by the Ohio Education Association for his success in winning legal rights for teachers and was commended by the Fraternal Organization of Police and the Firefighters Union for his collective bargaining on their behalf. He has contributed to three cases heard before the US Supreme Court.

Dennis also handled a number of pro-bono cases involving the protection of civil liberties; he was instrumental in establishing an Northeastern Ohio chapter of the Legal Services Association, which defends low-income clients against discrimination and employment violations. His reputation for being an excellent negotiator is matched by the level of professional respect his peers accorded him for his gentle demeanor, collegiality, and kindness.

He fought fiercely on behalf of the working people of the Mahoning Valley while remaining a voice of reason who always sought reasoned, calm compromise as an ideal way to settle disputes.

Dennis was a diehard fan and supporter of YSU athletics. He and his wife Janet provide a scholarship endowment for student athletes, endowed the football stadium’s Haines Radio Room, and sponsor a “Player of the Game” for football. They contributed generously to the Penguin Pack, were named “Penguins of the Year” in 2012 and were inducted into the YSU Athletics Hall of Fame in 2016. They followed the football and men’s and women’s basketball teams religiously and delighted in tailgating with their many fellow fans. Dennis was also a Detroit Lions fanatic and was thrilled by the success of the team in recent years. His recent election to the Curbstone Coaches provided him with plenty of buddies to join in sports analysis and armchair quarterbacking.

The main love of Dennis’ life has always been his family. He met his wife Janet when they both worked in the dining halls as students at OU and married her in 1967. They have two daughters, Julie Knox and her husband Ken Knox, and Jill and her partner James Limosani.

Their grandchildren are Adam Knox and his wife Lainey, Allison Knox, and Ryan Knox and his wife, Noelle. Adam and Lainey recently welcomed Dennis’ beautiful first great-grandchild, Eleanor.

Nothing made Dennis happier than when his grandkids attended YSU events with him when they were younger and caught his bug for football and basketball. They still frequently FaceTimed every March Madness to run down the scores and place bets in the family pool.

Dennis loved taking family and friends to restaurants and indulging in hamburgers and Handels ice cream. He was an inexhaustible source of local history, funny behind-the-scenes tales of the legal profession and endless bad puns and jokes with which he entertained all. He was a deeply literate man who loved poetry and history and as well as classic films and the music of the 40s and 50s.

Dennis lived his life in accordance with a favorite inspirational quote by Browning: “A man’s reach should exceed his grasp, or what’s a Heaven for?” His family agrees that Dennis ultimately reached everything he grasped for and that he lived a life of honor, service, joy, and most of all love.

The family requests memorial gifts be made to the Dennis and Jan Haines Scholarship at the Youngstown State University Foundation, 655 Wick Ave., Youngstown, Ohio 44502. You can also give online at ysufoundation.org by clicking “Give Now” and following the prompts.

Donations can also be made to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.

A gathering of friends and family will be held from noon to 3 p.m. on Tuesday, Feb. 25, at Shriver-Allison-Courtley-Weller-King Funeral Home, 292 Madison Ave.

Arrangements have been entrusted to The Shriver Allison Courtley Weller King Funeral Home.

Friends and family may view this obituary and share memories and condolences at www.shriverallisoncourtleyfuneral home.com

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