1940 – 2004

LEWISTON – Dean M. Kelley, 63, of Atwood Street, Auburn, died Friday , March 5, at Central Maine Medical Center surrounded by his family.

He was born in Lewiston May 11, 1940, a son of Frank and Ethel Mixer Kelley. He was educated in Auburn schools and graduated from Edward Little High School in 1958. As a boy he was involved in the Boy Scouts of America and attained the level of Eagle Scout in 1956.

Following high school, he enlisted in the Navy and served three years, being honorably discharged in 1961. While in the Navy, he received training in Aviation Flight School and also Structural Mechanic School. Upon returning from the Navy, he worked for Raytheon Semiconductor from 1961 to 1963, and then for the Dane-T-Bits Bisquit Company from 1963 to 1965. In 1965 he began his career with Diamond Machine Company, where he worked for more than 25 years. While there, he developed a close friendship with several members of the Verreault family for whom he worked. He loved his job there and it was an integral part of his life at that time. He was involved for a number of years as a volunteer for the Make-A-Wish Foundation and also for Androscoggin Home Care & Hospice. He was recognized in 1996 with the Ten-Year Service Award and also was recipient of the Robert D. Turcotte Memorial Award, given annually by Androscoggin Home Care & Hospice to a person who makes an outstanding contribution to the promotion of home health care. For many years he had also served on the committee for organizing the high school reunion for his graduating class.

Dean was a very special person. He lived the example of life – love for one another. He was a loving father, grandfather (Papa), brother, uncle, friend and companion. He loved his grandchildren with all his heart. He was a very caring and generous man; if you needed him, he was there for you. He cared for his elderly aunt, Elva Kelley, in his home for the last few years of her life. He was ‘Amazing Grace’ to the ones that loved him.

He was a faithful Patriots, Red Sox, and NASCAR fan. He loved watching his grandchildren’s sporting events – hockey, baseball, soccer, basketball and football. He took pride in supporting their interests in everything including sports, scouting and school activities. He volunteered for LAYHL Bingo Night to support his grandson’s hockey membership. He also enjoyed teaching his grandchildren how to play cribbage, and it was not uncommon for a cribbage tournament to be going on at family gatherings.

Dean had a lot of love for the outdoors. He spent many seasons hunting, fishing, and camping. In recent years he was a seasonal camper at Two Lakes Campground in Oxford where he participated in planning childrens’ activities and fundraising events. He inherited a green thumb from his father and looked forward to planting his vegetable garden every spring. He liked to cook and bake. Cookies and strawberry-rhubarb pies were his specialties. He was a jack of all trades and could fix anything. He was gifted in woodworking.

He leaves two daughters, Deana Kelley-Welch of Lewiston, and Colleen Verreault and her husband David of Poland; three grandchildren, Frankie Welch III, Adam and Emily Verreault; his special lady friend and love, Beverly Gamrat of Lisbon Falls; three sisters, Mildred Eastman of Auburn, Sally Kelley of Gardiner, and Marcia White and her husband Alan of Auburn; three brothers, Tom Kelley of Tampa, Fla., Dan Kelley and his wife Linda of Greensboro, M.D., and Brian Kelley and his wife Lori of Auburn; his special aunt, Phyllis Mixer of Auburn; several nieces, nephews, aunts, uncles and cousins; and a step-son, Mark McClellan of Poland.

He was predeceased by his parents; and a sister, Patricia Kons.