Dean, Perley M., 75, died March 26, 2007 at Maine Medical Center. Arrangements are in the care of Duncan-Graves Funeral Home, Presque Isle.
Westbrook – Perley M. Dean, 75, formerly of Presque Isle, passed away on Monday, March 26th at Maine Medical Center, of kidney cancer. Perley was born July 19, 1931 in Littleton, the son of Murray and Shirley (Hammond) Dean.
He attended Easton schools and was graduated from the U. of M. at Orono in 1954. In 1954 he married the former Marilyn Winslow of Presque Isle. He taught and coached basketball at Hodgdon High School and Central Aroostook High School. In 1965 he received a masters degree in education from the U. of M. at Orono. He was a counselor at Houlton High School for one year and in 1966 became a counselor at Presque Isle High School, until he retired as guidance director in 1989. During his retirement from 1991-1998 he was general manager of the Northern Maine Fair in Presque Isle, and continued to serve as a trustee until 2002. He was a member of SAD #1 Teachers Association; Maine Association of Counseling and Development; National Education Association; Maine Teachers Association and Maine State Retired Teachers Association. He was the proud administrator of the Kiwanis Franklin S. Cunningham Scholarship Fund for graduating seniors at PIHS; a member and past president of Probus; member of the Presque Isle Historical Society; and a longtime member of the Presque Isle Kiwanis Club, where he served as past president and past distinguished Lt. Governor for District #30. Mr. Dean was a longtime member of Grant Memorial United Methodist Church, where he served 12 years on the Pastor-Staff-Parish Relations Committee, was co-superintendent of the church school, lay leader and past president of the Men's Club. He also served three terms on the Board of Directors of SAD#1 from 1990-1998. He was a member of the P.I. City Council from 2000-2004; a member of the Executive Committee of Northern Maine Develop-ment Comm-ission; an avid member of the Republican Party; a member and first president of Advisory Board for Museum of Science at the U. of M. at Presque Isle; a member of the Turner Foundation Board and a member of the M Club at University of Maine since 1954.
He is survived by his wife of 52 years, Marilyn W. Dean; one daughter, Debbie Coito of Yarmouth; two sons and daughters-in-law, William and Ann Dean of Scarborough; John and Lauri Dean of Gorham; five beloved grandchildren, Brian of Bellingham, MA, Kimberly of Scarborough; Lindsay of Brighton, MA, Andrew of Gorham and Melissa Coito of Yarmouth; one brother and sister-in-law, Glen and Nancy Dean of Madison, CT, one sister-in-law, Dorothy Drew of Burlington, VT, four nieces, one nephew and several cousins.
Calling hours were held from 7 – 9PM on Friday, March 30th at the Duncan-Graves Funeral Home in Presque Isle. A celebration of his life was held at the Grant Memorial Methodist Church in Presque Isle on Sat., March 31st at 11AM. In lieu of flowers, contributions in his memory may be made to the Franklin S. Cunningham Scholarship Fund, c/o Presque Isle Kiwanis Club or to the Presque Isle Historical Society, PO Box 285, Presque Isle, Me. 04769
The family would like to extend their sincere thank you and appreciation to the wonderful nurses and doctors at the Maine Medical Center. Their extraordinary care and compassion was certainly a comfort for Perley and his family during this very difficult time. Condolences may be expressed at www.duncan-graves.com
