Duane Edward Mead

Duane Edward Mead, 52, of Orleans, formerly of Bedford, NY and Farmington, NM, died unexpectedly on September 13, 2016 following a sudden illness. He was the son of James E Mead of Dennis and the late Kathleen Duffy Mead.

Duane was a graduate of Nauset Regional High School, Cape Cod, Class of 1981. He was a true seaman, working on charter boats in Rock Harbor, racing sailboats and fishing whenever possible. He had great mechanical knowledge and could fix just about anything. In 1990 Duane moved to New York where he worked at Four Winds and met his future wife, Lauren Hobbs Mead. Together they moved to Farmington, New Mexico in 1994. His work ethic at a small oil company there propelled him, ultimately, to become a General Manager of Dial Oil. In New Mexico he and Laurie raised two wonderful daughters, Alex and Katie. His children were his greatest pride and joy.

In 2013, after a divorce, Duane returned to the Cape. He was happy to return to the water and to renew old friendships. He was currently employed by both Wellfleet Harbor Seafood Inc. and Jeff Richardson f/v Defender. He had also found great happiness and love with one of those old friends, Inger Landers. At the time of his death he was restoring a fishing boat of his own and his family deeply regrets that he won't see it in the water himself. We are comforted that he lived his life to the fullest and we will miss his kind heart, his green thumb, his love of cooking and hearing his classic rock music turned up loud (but not his singing voice!).

In addition to his father, Jim Mead (Leona Grant), Duane is survived by his two daughters, Alexandra and Katherine both of Farmington, NM. He is also survived by his sisters and brothers-in-law Kim Mead-Walters and Davis Walters, Margy Mead-McEnaney and Dan McEnaney and eight nieces and nephews, Christopher, Garrett, Sheamus and Marielle McEnaney, Kyle, Samuel and Jeremy Walters and Madelyn (Jason) Wheeler. Duane will also be greatly missed by his dog Cisco, the most recent in a series of Akitas. He was pre-deceased by his brother Christopher Duffy Mead and his mother Kathleen Duffy Mead.

Calling hours will be held at Nickerson Funeral Home in Orleans on Friday, September 23, 2016 from 4-7 pm. There will be a celebration of life Saturday, September 24th at Rock Harbor Beach at 11 am. For those wishing to make a donation in Duane's name please contact the Animal Rescue League of Boston, Brewster Shelter at 508-255-1030 or email [email protected].

For online condolences, please visit www.nickersonfunerals.com.