He was born in Brooklyn, NY on December 28th, 1929 to Arthur D. Dempsey, Sr. and Eleanor F. Dempsey (Leavey). He served in the Navy during the Korean War and later graduated from Columbia University’s School of Engineering with a degree in Electrical Engineering. He worked in sales in the Boston area, cofounding Digital Sales Associates. Later in life he worked as a Life Coach in Keene and enjoyed running in Ashuelot Park and volunteering at the Colonial Theatre.
Elk was physically fit, smart, and independent. In his later years, you may have seen him walking around town, or perhaps had a conversation with him at a local restaurant. Thank you, Keene, for helping Elk to lead his best life possible. Up until the last few months of his life, he was able to live independently, in large part due to a community that cared for him in a myriad of ways.
Elk is survived by daughters Cathy, Anne Swinton, and Jareka Dellenbaugh-Dempsey, grandchildren Russell Swinton, Matthew Swinton, Sarah, and Hannah, and ex-wife Caro Dellenbaugh. He is predeceased by his parents, sisters Frances Hudson and Lillian Meyer, ex-wife Gayle, and an infant son, Fred.
There will be no services at this time.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to The Sierra Club (www.SierraClub.org).