Dean E. Smith, 88, died Nov. 25, 2017, at the Watson Fields Assisted Living Facility in Dover, N.H. He was born February 8, 1929, in Mineral Center, son of the late Earl and Myrtle (Linnell) Smith.
He grew up in Grand Marais as one of seven children, on a farm that afforded him an education in hard work, honesty, and humility. He attended the Cook County School District and graduated from Grand Marais High School, Class of 1946.
On December 1, 1952, Dean married Carol Sykes. They lived in Grand Marais for 15 years while raising their family. They moved to Stratham, N.H. in 1977 and Dean worked nearly three decades as an area superintendent building nuclear power plants and traveling across the country for United Engineers and Construction. They have lived in Stratham and then Exeter for the last 20 years.
Dean was a lover of all sports, as he enjoyed both playing and watching. He played basketball in high school, but his real passion was in playing baseball and softball. He participated in many local area leagues through the years – initially playing fast pitch softball into his 40s and then switching to slow pitch softball. He played competitively until the age of 75. Dean was also very musically talented. As a self-taught musician, Dean was a member of a band in his youth, playing guitar, piano, trumpet, drums and the organ. The Hawaiian guitar and organ were by far his favorites!
Dean was known for his iron handshake, but he had a heart of gold, was a friend to all and was always looking to help others.
He was an incredibly loving and devoted husband and father. Dean enjoyed the simplest moments spent with Carol immensely –especially an afternoon drive to Lago’s for a frappe. One of Dean’s greatest joys was his role as grandfather. He and Carol attended hundreds of sporting events, passed on their love of sports, and Dean could often be found on the floor playing anything and everything his grandchildren wanted. To them, he was fondly known as “Guppy,” and he was “the nicest man who ever lived!”
He was predeceased by his sister, Melva Schulte; and three brothers, Garth, Ronald and Gerald Smith.
Dean is survived by his wife of nearly 65 years, Carol; three sons, Randy, Jeff and his wife Cyndy, and Mark and his wife Elizabeth; seven grandchildren, Adam Smith, Julie Daigle and her husband Brian, Matthew Smith, Alison Garvey and her husband Sean, Jack, Ben and Charlie Smith; three great-grandchildren, Colin and Declan Daigle, and Emma Garvey; two brothers and sisters-in-law, Lawrence and Janice Smith, Dwight and Sheryl Smith, and sister-in-law Marjorie Smith; and numerous nieces and nephews.
There are no calling hours. A private graveside service will be held for the family at the Exeter Cemetery.
A reception for family and friends will be held at the Sterling Hill Clubhouse, Sterling Hill Lane, Exeter, N.H. on Sunday, December 17 from noon to 3 p.m.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in his memory to the St. Jude Children’s Hospital, 262 Danny Thomas Place, Memphis, TN 38105.
The family would like to extend special thanks to the Watson Fields Assisted Living Facility and the Cornerstone Hospice for the exceptional care that was given to Dean during his brief time spent in their care.
Leave a Reply