Keene, NH – Russell Frederick Dean, 81, died January 31, 2026 at Covenant of Living in Keene, NH. He was a longtime resident of Turners Falls and lived in Bernardston when his girls were young.
Russ was born on June 14, 1944 in Greenfield, MA. He was the son of Dr. Frank Wilton Dean and Marion Evelyn Wyman Dean and was raised at the family home on Main Street in Northfield which was also the medical office of his father.
Russ graduated from Northfield Mount Hermon in 1962, earned a bachelor’s degree in political science at the University of Massachusetts in Amherst in 1966 and then completed naval officer training at the Naval Officer’s Candidate School in Newport, RI. Russ was a Lieutenant Junior Grade in the Navy from 1967-1970. Russ was stationed on the USS Essex and was on the ship when it retrieved the crew of Apollo 7 in 1968.
After the Navy, Russ became a banker starting his career at the Franklin County Trust Company in Greenfield which then became Shawmut bank. He became a branch manager of Shawmut Bank in Greenfield and later in Orange. He finished out his career as a branch manager of Florence Savings Bank in Amherst.
Russ loved woodworking, boating on the Connecticut river, stargazing, gardening, model trains, sailing and spending time at his family cottage on Spofford Lake.
Russ leaves behind his three daughters and seven grandchildren. They are Ginger Hughes, her husband Jonathan and their children Jacob, Delia and Kyla; Sarah Young, her husband Dan and their children Hannah, Naomi and Rachel; Joyana Damon, her husband Steve and their son, Isaac. Russ also leaves behind stepdaughter Deborah Morel, her husband Jon and Deb’s children Kateri, Joshua and Cecelia; stepson James Marsh; sister Jan Mace; brother Norman Dean; many nieces and nephews and his loving companion, Judy Loomis whom he met at Covenant Living. He was predeceased by his second wife of over 30 years, MaryAnn Dean.
Celebration of Life will be on Saturday, February 7th at 2:00 p.m. at the United Church of Bernardston, Church St., Bernardston, Mass.
In memorial of Russ, the family would prefer donations be made to Robbins Memorial Congregational Church. 55 Munson St. in Greenfield, MA in lieu of flowers.
Kidder Funeral Home, 1 Parker Ave., Northfield , Mass is assisting the family with arrangements.
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