Paul Gordon Dean
August 29, 1943 – May 06, 2021
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Paul Dean, age 77, (August 29,1943 – May 6, 2021) much loved, Husband, Dad, Grampy, Father-in-law, & “ best man ever” passed away peacefully in his sleep on May 6th, 2021, at St Martha’s Regional Hospital, in Antigonish, N.S., after a series of health challenges.
Paul is survived by “the wife” of 40 years Neila (Gillis), his four children, Paula Laverty (Scott), Sarah MacDonald (Sean), Rebecca & Matthew, and his five grandsons, Braden & Emmett Laverty & Nathan, Andrew, & Alex MacDonald.
Born & raised in Beaver Bank, N, S. Paul was the proud son of Edward & Florence Dean, and brother to 13 siblings. George (Gisele), Harry (Leola), Blair (Helen) both deceased, Doris, (Edward Metzler) both deceased, Graham, deceased, Emily Coffin (Bernie) deceased, Clarence, deceased, Ronnie, deceased, Wayne (Linda) deceased, Doreen Fifield, deceased, Brenda Reid (Boyd), Theresa MacDonald (Gerald, deceased) Mary Dean (Russell Lively). Paul is also survived by his many and much loved, nieces and nephews, who all held a special place in his heart and he in theirs!
Paul was a very social guy and had friends from the East Coast to the West Coast. After living & working in British Columbia for over 10 years he had made lifelong friends and nothing made Paul happier than on a Friday or Saturday night, to have a rum & coke, a cigarette, his address book and the telephone close by so he could touch base with all his friends & family near and far. He was a great conversationalist, and never struggled to find something to talk, laugh and reminiscence about, so we were all very happy when those long distance rates finally went down!
We were always proud of Dad’s work ethic. He was a hard worker who loved going to work to support his family. He was an independent worker, he enjoyed working on his own so he could get the job done and get home to spend time with his family. Our family was especially lucky that he did and was able to work this way, on the mainland and in Cape Breton, making it possible for us to spend our summers together in The Points, at “the Cottage” which he built for us in 1987, and oh the memories made at “the Cottage”!
Dad loved to go fishing in the spring and hunting in the fall, he loved looking for the first mayflowers, and setting grass fires, he loved campfires and cooking hotdogs for the kids, and every hotdog was the best one “just for you”, he loved teasing his sisters and listening to country music, he loved tormenting his nephews and having water fights. He loved playing horseshoes in the summer, darts in the winter, and crib with Sean, his son-in-law. He loved putting up the Christmas lights and going in the woods to find the perfect Christmas tree (until we found out Matt was allergic). He loved splitting wood and shovelling snow, and was never late for anything! He loved mowing the grass, working around the yard and hanging out in one of his many sheds with a cold beer in his hand. He didn’t like to part with his treasures he picked up here and there, so there was always room for one more shed in the yard!
He was a great storyteller, whether it involved him driving a zamboni for the Canucks, his famous Hawaii trip, driving a float in a parade, driving a big truck from Vancouver to Winnipeg over the Rockies to set up a trade show, or operating spotlights at some famous concerts, he always had a captive audience.
In 2009, Paul made the difficult decision to sell his family home in Beaver Bank and retire to “the Cottage.” He was a true Beaver Banker and this was home, not only to his immediate family, but to his siblings as well, so it wasn’t a decision he made lightly.
His retirement years have been happily spent enjoying his Children & Grandsons, whom he adored, travelling to Mexico, Cuba, Spain, Vancouver, PEI, Newfoundland, driving from Edmonton to Cape Breton with Matthew and “living the dream” on Cape Breton Island with Neila.
We are all going to miss him so very much!
Due to Covid restrictions a “Celebration of Life” will be held for Paul at a later date.
Those wishing to make a donation may do so to the Brain Tumour Foundation of Canada. Your donation will honour the memory of Paul’s niece Joanne Lenihan, who passed away in February!
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Our most sincere sympathies to the family and friends of Paul Gordon Dean August 29 1943 May 06 2021..
Death notice for the town of: Port-Hawkesbury, Province: Nova Scotia