I’ve kept Dean’s memorial card on top of my dresser and think of him every time it catches my eye, which has been very often over this past year. 
I know there’s not much I can say or do to console you but know my heart goes out to you all. Dean was a true love and I am fortunate to have been able to share some of his life. 

Love out,
Mr. U

Dear Ruth and Glen,
Today is a hard day for you and all the friends and associates of Dean, the talented young man whose life was taken too early and too suddenly.  We miss him and mention his name every time we pass the Honda dealership where Dean helped us with our beautiful car that he so lovingly and kindly reserved for me after I told him that I wished for a red car.  Last Christmas Dean wrote us a warm note with his business card attached.  Dean, rest in peace.  You are so missed by the people you had touched.  God bless your soul! 
Kim Riley

I can't believe it's been a year.  You are truly missed.

🌸🌸Sending my condolences to all the family and friends. I did not know your son, your brother, your friend, Dean Arnum, however I am so sorry for your loss. I don't know if it would have helped save Dean's life, but knowing the circumstances, I have begun to give out free reflective items to pedestrians such as safety vests and lights. Previous to this, I've been handing out little packs of red and white lights to bicyclists. Many people have expressed interest in helping. 
Again  I am so sorry. 🌸🌸
From  Eva June Roberts of Riverhead.🌸🌸

Dear Dean,
Your Christmas card is on our window display behind the Christmas wreath and the red Honda CRV we bought with your help is running smoothly. Last week on a Rangers game night, Charlie asked me to use Airplay to connect to the car display. “Dean showed you how to use Airplay!” Yes, you did that and a whole lot more. The three-month free Sirius service is about to expire, and I remember that you told me to either renew it with a lower price or pay the $27/month fee for premium programming. You then flashed a big smile and said that you renew automatically and do not pay too much attention to the fee. You also said that your Mom would always ask you which to choose. "Come back when you have any questions," you promised. On Oct. 28 when you opened the trunk of the red car upon our arrival at the dealership, you piped, “Oh, they even left the car mats for you!” So young, so kind, so sincere and caring, and so much ahead of you. Dean, I have more car questions to ask you…. 

Dearest Ruthanne, Glen, Gerard & Frankie, Our deepest condolences and heartfelt sympathies 
are with all of you. Dearly departed Dean, you spread your special light wherever you went. We loved your bright personality from the first time meeting you and your wonderful family at Rock Cats baseball. Rock Cats baseball created a special bond for our children, lifelong friendships and wonderful memories for all.  May Dean’s beautiful soul 🕊️soar with the Angels. 🙏🏻 Rest peacefully Dean. With much love, John, Liam, Barbara and Brian McCarrick. 

I am so sorry to hear of Dean's passing.  I had Dean in my seventh grade class; he had a smile that could light up a room and was a good friend to all.  I remember him joking and telling stories, and his love for baseball.  He had a great way with people and a good heart.  Sending you all my love and prayers for peace.

Glenn, Ruth Gerard & Frankie
Dean was a true beacon of light
and he will for ever shine in our hearts. 
He will be greatly missed but never
FORGOTTEN… RIP Dean 

Brian Pepper

Our family sends our deepest sympathies for your unimaginable loss.  Our daughter, Rachel, was friends with Dean and I know he will be sadly missed.  Our thoughts and prayers are with all of you and hoping you can find some peace in the time ahead.  

-The Fox Family
(Dan, Liz, Matt and Rachel)

Glen,

My deepest condolences to you and your family on the loss of your son. My prayers are with you all. 


Jim Kelly 

To The Arnum Family,
With deepest sympathy on the passing of Dean.
Our thoughts and prayers are with you,
The Costas Family

Please accept my deepest condolences and sympathy on the sudden loss of your beloved son, Dean.  I knew Dean from his time at our gym.  He is a very special young man, pleasant, kindhearted and courteous.  He stood out among the rest with his wonderful smile and shining presence ✨
I pray for our Lord to comfort your hearts and hold you in the palm of his hand.  He is safely in the arms of Jesus and one day you will all be together again.  You are in my prayers. 
God bless you 🙏🏻

Ruthann and Glenn
Words can’t express the sorrow for the loss of your Dean. 
We met on the little league baseball field.  Dean and Tyler were in 2nd grade.  Their love for the game made them instant friends. I’ll never forget the day the game was canceled due to the rain. Dean called the coach himself to ask why because it wasn’t raining at his house.  And he was only 8 years old! 
That was only the beginning.  The SWR Rock Cats team is where lifelong memories were made.  You created a team of boys who truly cared for one another and families that bonded with each game and season.  We are forever grateful to have been part of that 
family. Dean was the kindest most respectful boy who grew into a handsome fine young man.  He deserved more time. My heart breaks for you, Gerard and Frankie.  This should not have happened to such a caring family.  I pray for strength and peace for you all
Rest In Peace Dean.  You will be greatly missed 

The Pepper Family 


Dean and Tyler 
High School Graduation 
SWR 2017

Dean, 
I appreciated your Friendship and your added support that your Family gave mine in both hard, and good times. 

It was a gift to have been able to see you whenever I visited Home after we graduated. 

From memories as Young Bucks, to Adults, it has been a pleasure to call you a Friend and to have been gifted to have known you. 

This is still hard to believe, but even with a Heavy Heart; I look forward to the next time we meet (where we'll Pickle Ball and Wiffle Ball it up). 

Much love, Dean.

- Chris Gentile

Dear Glen & Family,

I am so truly to hear of the tragic loss of your son Dean. 
My heart breaks for you and your family at this very difficult time.
There are just no words, please know that I am praying for you and your entire family.

Deepest Condolences,
Janet Leino-Hammel


Dear Glen 
I heard of your heartbreaking loss.  My heart breaks for you and your family.   
My deepest condolences 
Sue Holahan.  

Dean Arnum: Second Baseman for the 2017 Suffolk County Champion SWR Baseball Team.  He always put his team and friends first. You will be missed

Dean Arnum
Second baseman for the 2017 Suffolk County Champion Shoreham Wading River Wildcats Baseball Team.  Dean was an talented player who always put his friends and teammates first.  

Dear Glen, Ruth-Anne and the Arnum family,

We just want you to know that we are really sorry to hear about the passing of Dean.

Our deepest condolences.
Niall & Breda McAteer 
London & Limerick, Ireland. 

My husband Barry and I would like to express our sympathy to the family of Dean. We met Dean a month ago, at Honda. He found the perfect van for us to travel across the country in with our 3 doodles. He called us just about a week before his passing to see how they enjoyed the ride and to wish us the best in 2023. We did not know Dean for long, however we had a great connection with him and we took a liking to him immediately. We want you all to know how sorry we are, we will be reminded daily of his kindness, and we wish you all well. 
Dawn and Barry Standish 
Admirers of a fine young man

I was so sorry to hear of Dean’s passing. My condolences to his family. 
Sincerely Marie Larsen


I am heartbroken to learn of Dean's tragic passing.  As his first grade teacher, I fondly remember him as a sweet,  fun-loving 6 year old  who just moved to our SWR community from Shelter Island.    I will keep Dean and his family in my prayers.  

The very first time Thanksgiving we  spent with the Koone’s and Arnum’s was so special. Our flight to Islip was diverted to Scranton and we were carried by limousine to Islip where we got a car, then took the Ferry over to Shelter Island. We were late but they waited for us.  Dinner was not served until we arrived and everyone was fully present.  I don’t understand how or why Dean was early leaving us, but I am so grateful, Because of Jesus’ finished work at the Cross, we will see Dean again. He will be waiting to welcome Ruthanne, Glen, Gerard, Frankie, and all of us in heaven when we, too, are called home. 
#familyiseverything

We looked forward to spending Thanksgiving with the Arnum’s every year. We especially loved preparing a few of our southern dishes for them. Gerard was my taste-tester. If he said it was okay, we knew it was good to go. And we knew it was a hit if Dean ate seconds. We miss you, Dean. 

We were staying at the New York Hilton Midtown and were within walking distance to everything. So, while I walked around the corner to a meeting, Wayne took the boys site-seeing. Another beautiful day with Dean and Gerard. 

It was so special that Dean & Gerard came to visit us during my business trip to NY City. They took the train from Shoreham, so we had some Black & Bleu Burgers at Friday’s in Penn Station before they went home. Dean’s facial expression says it all! 

Glen took the boys to a Baseball Benefit where they met Cleon Jones. 

Dean loved baseball just like me. It  added  to the  strong bond between me and the boys. When they came to visit I took them to a Green Jackets game. We had a ball. I miss him already. Rest in peace, Dean. Until I see you again, Dean.

We all love a great meal!!  And we all love a good steak so we went to one of my favorite steak restaurants, T-Bonz.  Dean’s smile says it all. We had a great time!

Ruthanne and Glen brought the boys down to see us during the summer. We took them to Hilton Head where we enjoyed family time at the beach and ate at our favorite seafood restaurant, the Crazy Crab. We love Dean and the boys so much. It seems unbelievable that he is gone. Just look at that smile. We love and miss you, Dean. Rest in Peace, Uncle Wayne and Aunt Peggie

Dear Gerard and Family,

I am so incredibly sorry for the loss of your beloved Dean. I know my words do little to ease your grief, but I am praying for your entire family and wishing you healing and strength as you enter this year. 

Your Reeve Colleague and Friend,
Kelly Lamb

Cincinatti Reds-making great childhood memories!

It's been my great privilege to enjoy friendship with the Arnum family. To see the nurturing and generosity of spirit that Glen, Ruth and team manager Gerard provided the Cincinatti Reds was beautiful at the time and created magical memories that will last forever. Dean was adorable in his shaded glasses and impressive in his budding athleticism! I continued to be impressed with the respectful, kind, well put together man he had become. Clearly a product of his entire loving family (brother Frankie and cousin Michelle, I'm thinking of you), Dean and the entire family are truly a gift to us all. 
May Dean's great spirit live in all who knew him and may we all follow his example of being a great friend and a great person. 

Dean was always smiling at work. He was so positive and kind. He will be missed❤️ 

Dean, I'm grateful for the good times we shared together at work.  You quickly became a part of our work family and you touched each and every one of us.  You were a spida, a bro, you made us all laugh and smile everyday.  I'll always remember you for your kindness and helpfulness to others and will pass that on in your memory.  I hope you're having all the millys and cake your heart desires up there.  

Dean it was such a pleasure to work with you these past few months, you truly were such a joy to be around! I wish I understood why tragic things happen to the nicest and kindest people. I hope you’re eating tons of cake and slim jims and pistachios up there! You truly impacted apple honda in such a positive way since you started here and we will ALWAYS miss you and remember you. - your friend Gia

This was just the beginning. There should have been so much more….

To Glen , Ruth-Anne and all the Arnum family, please accept our sincerest sympathies on Dean's sad passing. He was so young and had so much living to do. It is a sad time and all his relatives in Ireland are thinking of the family at this time. God bless all and may his gentle soul rest in peace. Brendan, Mary, Eoghan & Conall McAteer, Limerick, Ireland

I had the absolute pleasure of having Dean work for me at Dicks Sporting Goods in Riverhead NY.  Dean was a kind, hardworking and reliable young man and I was lucky to have known him and have him as part of my team.  I will forever remember his kind spirit and the way we would tease each other about the Yankees and Mets.  His family will remain in my thoughts and you have my deepest condolences.  You raised an amazing young man who was a well liked and respected member of our little Dicks Sporting Goods family. Rest in Peace Dean you will be forever missed and this world is a little less bright without you in it. 

Dean,
       It’s been 3 days since your tragic death and I sit here still in shock, unable to wrap my head around the surreal fact that you’re no longer with us. In the few months that I knew you I can easily say nothing but great things about you.  You were great at your job in sales, everyone liked you at Apple Honda, you were definitely going to make a career out of this. Unfortunately in this thing called life there is no script, otherwise you’d still be here with us because in my heart I know your story wasn’t supposed to end this way.  It’s hard to understand why the worst things happen to the best people. You were a great kid all around and I’m sure your friends and family will speak your name forever until their last breaths. I hope you’re looking down on everyone and seeing how much you were loved and how much you’re gonna be missed. I’m glad we crossed paths in life, I really am. Fly high my friend for heaven has gained another angel far far too soon 😢💔… P.S the Yankees better win it for you in 2023 it would only be fitting.
                  Until we meet again brother 🕊
                        - Brian Damboise “Juice”

Dean was a wonderful young man. He might have been new to the Apple Honda Family but it was like we’ve known him forever. I will never forget his smile and the way he was always willing to help.  He was really an amazing person.  He will be missed every day.  

Top of Montauk Point Lighthouse with some of his many pals.


No words can ease the pain. I love you deano, until we meet again ❤️

No words can ease the pain. I love you deano, Until we meet again. ❤️

The photo pretty much sums up the characters in the class that year. We had lots of laughs, lots of laughs. 
Love out,
Mr. U

OBITUARY

Dean Edward Arnum

March 13, 1999 – December 30, 2022

O.B. Davis Funeral Homes - Miller Place

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