Donald J. Dean

Wilder, VT – Donald J. Dean, 75, passed away Thursday October 28th surrounded by his loving family at the Veteran's Affairs Medical Center in White River Jct., VT.

Don was born April 26, 1935 in Coventry, VT a son of Merton and Marion (Elliott) Dean. He attended school in Coventry and graduated from high school in Orleans, VT before enlisting in the US Navy at the age of seventeen. Don served in the Navy for twenty seven years in several countries and aboard many ships including five different aircraft carriers. He received numerous merits and awards during his career and retired with the highest enlisted rank of Chief Petty Officer in 1979.

After retiring from the Navy he moved to Wilder and began working as a mail carrier for the US Postal Service first in White River Jct. and later in Hanover and finally at the Lebanon Annex, retiring after over twenty years in 2001.

Don was proud of his service to his country and was honored by the memorial that included his name in his hometown of Coventry honoring his time in the Cuban Missile Crisis, Korea and Vietnam.

Don enjoyed serving his community by being active in local service organizations where he was known as "Double D" He was a life member of the White River Jct. Veteran's of Foreign Wars Post 2571 where he served as Quartermaster for twenty years, a life member of the White River American Legion Post 26, a life member of the Hartford B.P.O.Elks Post 1541 in Hartford for over thirty years, a life member of the Fraternal Order of Eagles in Lebanon and a twenty five year member of the Free and Accepted Masons White River Lodge #90 in Bethel, VT.

He was an avid sports fan and enjoyed watching all types of sports and also liked bowling, horseshoes, old movies, country western music, playing cards especially cribbage, collecting stamps and coins. Don also enjoyed playing the piano with his brother's band at nursing homes several times a month.

Family was important to Don and he always found time to attend his grandchildren's sporting events. He will be remembered as caring and loving and for his wonderful sense of humor. The J in Don's middle name stands for Jewell which is very fitting, as Don was truly a jewel.

He is survived by his wife Doris P. Dean of Bridgewater Corners, VT; a close friend Sandy Tisdale of White River Jct., three daughters Debra Dean of Hartland, Lori Dean Sienna of Moodus, CT, and Lisa Dean Soule of Hartland, VT; a son David J. Dean of Hollywood, FL, five grandchildren Amanda, Kaleigh and Austin Soule and Cassie and Chelsea Sullivan; his brother Robert Dean and his wife Roberta of Bethel, VT and several nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by a grandson Tanner Soule, his parents and a niece.

Friends may call at the Knight Funeral Home in White River Jct. Sunday from 2-4PM with an Elks Service at 2PM and a Legion service at 3PM and from 6-8PM with Veteran of Foreign Wars service at 6PM. A memorial service will be held at the Knight Funeral Home in White River Jct. Monday at 10 AM with burial following in the Vermont Veteran's Memorial Cemetery in Randolph Center, VT at Noon with the White River Jct. Veterans Council presenting military honors. A celebration of his life will follow the burial at the Veteran's of Foreign Wars in White River Jct., VT.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Veteran's of Foreign Wars Post 2571 for Veteran's Programs, PO Box 283, White River Jct., VT 05001.