Ed Dean
Ed Dean, 92, of Palmer Township, PA passed away on Thursday, May 22nd, at home.
Born in Wilson, PA, Ed was the son of the late Wilson Carroll, and Grace (Clemons) Dean. He was a graduate of Wilson Area High School Class of 1950. After receiving an army draft notice, Ed chose to join the United States Naval Reserves. His Reserve Unit was activated in 1953, where Ed served on several warships during the Korean War. Upon Honorable Discharge in 1955, he joined the Palmer Township Fire Company and Suburban Rescue Squad. In February 1965, Ed and fourteen other firefighters formed the Palmer Municipal Fire Department, where he rose through the ranks as Captain of Station 1, Fire Marshal, interim Fire Chief, and finally appointed Fire Chief in 1976 until 1991. He was the last living Charter Member. During the ensuing years, he was very active in many community functions. He received the B.I.P. Palmer award, along with several state citations. In his later years, he was the chairman and a life member of the Palmer Historical Society, and the hallway of the Palmer Township Municipal Building was named in his honor. Ed was employed by NCR Corporation, and retired after 39 years of perfect attendance. Ed was then employed as a Palmer Township Code Enforcement Officer from 1994 to 2001. Ed was very involved with service to Palmer Township. Known as, “Mr. Palmer Township”, Ed was involved in Bicentennial Committee, Citizens Advisory Committee, Environmental Steering Committee, Northampton County and Forks Historical Associations, the Palmer Building Code Review Board and the Pennsylvania Association of Arson Investigators. Ed’s favorite membership was with the Kiwanis of Palmer Township, of which he had 25 years of perfect attendance.
Ed had various interests throughout his life, and was a perfectionist at everything he did. He was an avid collector, including antique firearms, books, and music boxes. His favorite hobby was his cars. Ed was a fanatic of the automobile, owning many throughout his lifetime. His favorites included a 1934 Rolls Royce, 1969 Jaguar Type E, and the only one he could never part with, his late wife’s 1957 Chevrolet. Above all, Ed was most passionate about his family. In 1959, Ed married Dolores Avia, celebrating 64 years of marriage. They were active members of the St. Paul’s III Lutheran Church for over 55 years. They had twin girls in 1970, Stefanie and Valerie. In the later years of his life, Ed devoted himself to the care of his ailing wife, staying beside her until the end.
He is survived by his daughters, Stefanie (Wayne) Smith, Valerie (Rey) Diaz, his grandsons, Jacob and Joseph Allen, and great-grandson Joseph. Ed is predeceased by his wife Dolores (2023).
Viewing hours are on Wednesday May 28th, from 5 pm to 7 pm, at St. Paul’s III Lutheran Church at 2561 Newburg Road, Palmer Twp. Pa. An additional viewing hour will be held at the church from 10 am to 11 am on Thursday, May 29th, with the Funeral Service beginning at 11:00, also at the church. The entombment will be at the Northampton Memorial Shrine in Palmer Twp. The Finegan Funeral Homes of Phillipsburg & Alpha are coordinating arrangements. Visit www.fineganfh.com.
In lieu of flowers, the family is asking those willing to make donations to St. Paul’s III Lutheran Church of Palmer Township, the Palmer Municipal Fire Department, or the SPCA.
Ed was universally loved and will be missed by all.