Robert J. Dean

04/13/2001

Robert James Dean, 75, of 108 Woodlawn Ave., a longtime schoolteacher in North Adams, died yesterday at North Adams Regional Hospital, where he was admitted Thursday. Born in North Adams on Aug. 8, 1925, son of William Bernard Dean and Mary Elizabeth Gorman Dean, he attended North Adams schools and graduated from Drury High School in 1942. Mr. Dean was a World War II veteran and joined the Navy on Nov. 16, 1943. After boot camp, he volunteered for a new specialized group called Underwater Demolition (UDT), now known as Navy Seals. He served at Guadalcanal Island and at Red Beach and later in the Philippines. He was honorably discharged on May 4, 1946, with the rank of Gunnersmate, 2nd Class, and was awarded the Bronze Star Medal, the World War II Victory Medal, the American Area Ribbon, the Asiatic-Pacific Area Ribbon with three battle stars, and the Philippine Liberation Ribbon with two battle stars. Mr. Dean returned to North Adams and attended North Adams State College, now Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts, where he received his bachelor's degree in 1950 and also his master of science degree in 1955. He began his teaching career at Brayton School in 1950 and transferred to Drury High School in 1956 as a social studies and history teacher. He was awarded the Distinguished Service Certificate by the Massachusetts Teachers Association for Distinguished Service on June 21, 1987, at the time of his retirement. He retired with 37 years of service to the city. While at Drury, Mr. Dean taught summer school and night sessions and served as the driver education teacher on a year-round basis for many years. After his retirement, he served as a special needs van driver for the past 12 years until the time of his death. He was a lifelong communicant of St. Francis of Assisi Church, where he was a longtime usher. He was a former member of the Brayton-Greylock Parents group, serving as its president for two terms in 1958 and 1959. He was instrumental in participating in minstrel shows to raise funds for the school. He was also active in the assembly and operation of floats, representing the group at the annual Fall Foliage Parades. He was a longtime member of the North Adams Teachers Association, serving as president in 1972. He volunteered for the Annual Catholic Stewardship Appeal at St. Francis. He enjoyed sports and was a member of the Old Timers Softball League. He enjoyed bowling at the Mount Greylock bowling leagues. He leaves his wife of 50 years, the former Mary Frances Hanlon, whom he married Aug. 26, 1950, in Our Lady of the Incarnation Church, now Our Lady of Mercy Shrine, in North Adams; a daughter, Beverly DellaMattera of Southwick; three sons, Robert P. Dean of Pittsfield, Shaun F. Dean of Manchester, N.H., and Senior Chief Petty Officer Darryl P. Dean of Eatontown, N.J., and five grandchildren. He was predeceased by a son, Timothy John Dean, who died in infancy, and a daughter, Roberta Mary Dean, who died March 3, 1989. The funeral is Monday at 10 a.m. at FLYNN & DAGNOLI-MONTAGNA HOME FOR FUNERALS, West Chapels, 521 West Main St., North Adams. Funeral Mass at 11 a.m. at St. Francis of Assisi Church. Burial in Southview Cemetery. Calling hours at FLYNN & DAGNOLI-MONTAGNA HOME FOR FUNERALS, West Chapels, are Sunday from 4 to 8 p.m. Donations may be made to the Robert J. Dean Scholarship Fund in care of the funeral home. A sister, Margaret Fryc, and two brothers, William E. Dean and Thomas Bernard Dean, are deceased.

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