James Norman Dean
March 4, 1932 – April 20, 2020
James was born on March 4, 1932, in Old Lyme, the son of Roy Dean and Doris Babcock Dean.
James was a veteran of the Korean War, serving in the Air Force. He was a manager at A & P Tea Company for over 40 years and he loves all sports, baseball and UConn women, NASCAR racing. He also loved hiking the nature trails and all his friends at the DEEP. He especially loved being a jokester, like the empty box and the under the buck gift. He loved playing setback, crossword puzzles. He loved his beer and occasionally a glass of wine. He also enjoys listening to WFAN and reading “The Day” paper and mowing his lawn. He loved dressing up with funny hats and glasses at Christmas. He loved the New York Yankees, the NY Giants and Green Bay Packers. He was also a member of the Piss and Moan and Groan club. He loved hotdogs at Cumby’s and Johnny Ads. He always had a joke and a smile on his face, loved Joes Poolroom especially when 8 ball answered. Dad your favorite word was lousy and it sure is lousy that your gone, we love you and miss you.
He is survived by his daughters Vicki and (Paul) Dorothy of Old Lyme and Lori and (Chris) Hebert of Deep River; grandchildren Kevin Dorothy (Carmen), Manchester Ct and Paul Dorothy III (Lyndsay) of Westbrook Ct, and Jason Schaefer of Longmont Colorado; Greatgrandchildren, Kodi of Manchester Ct and Chase of Longmont Colorado.
The family would like to thank Rebecca and the team at Lawrence & Memorial Hospital, also they would like to thank the team at Smilow Cancer Center in Waterford.
Private burial with military honors will be held at Laysville Cemetery, Old Lyme. Donations may be made to Smilow Cancer Center in Waterford.
I got to work with Jimmy during the summer of 1986 at the old A&P, and enjoyed his sense of humor.I also loved his stories of the souls who have made Old Lyme such an entertaining place, at times, to live…in particular his tales of “Olive Oil”.The town is losing, inevitably, all of the old timers like Jimmy, and they will never be replaced.Hence the importance of talking to the older people in the area and taking in what they say like a sponge.If we don’t hear and pass on their stories, our local history will be lost.There is, of course, the official town history…but, if you really wanted to know what went on in town, you ask someone like Jimmy.My thoughts go out to his family, as I know they are taking this very hard.Rest in peace, Jimmy, had a good run.
Thank you Jon.. Your words are so kind. My Dad loved the old stories and he is so missed..