Obituaries : Dennis Pasmant; Appreciated Dance and Art

Dennis Pasmant, an Oxnard native who had worked as a telemarketer, clothing store clerk and drapery salesman, died Monday from pneumonia. A niece said his real passion in life had been dance and art.

On April 17, Pasmant had turned 32.

A resident of Los Angeles since he graduated from Hueneme High School, Pasmant moved in with his parents in January when he became too weakened from AIDS to live on his own.

A niece, Danielle Gattis, 25, of Oxnard said her uncle dressed “very GQ,” was a fantastic dancer, good listener, had lots of friends and doted on his four nieces and six nephews and three great-nephews.

“But I was the closest to Dennis,” Gattis said. “When we were younger and disco was in, we would disco dance in the living room.”

Gattis also said her uncle was a gifted artist, who was as devoted to sketching a few select artistic subjects as he was to the music of Donna Summer.

“He loved to draw Marilyn Monroe,” Gattis said. “He sketched a great Marilyn.”

Pasmant is survived by his parents, Manuel and Gloria Pasmant of Port Hueneme. Gloria, 65, cared for Dennis after he returned home until he required a full-time nurse. Dennis is also survived by his siblings, David Pasmant also of Port Hueneme, Diana Borja of Oxnard and Denise Pasmant of Oxnard.

A memorial service will be held at 10 a.m. Thursday at Mary Star of the Sea, Oxnard.