Bert Dean

1925 - 2016

Bert passed away peacefully at Saskatoon City Hospital on Tuesday, April 26, 2016 with his family at his side. He was born October 9, 1925 on his father’s homestead near Richmound, SK. His early work experience included joining his father, Lloyd, and brother, Lyle, in a farm machinery dealership.  After his father’s death in 1952, he and Lyle formed L.A. Dean & Sons Farm Equipment Ltd., Dean Distributors, Ltd. and Select Supply Ltd. in Saskatoon. After the sale of these companies, he served as branch service managers for Kramer Tractor Ltd. for 1 ½ years before returning to the U of S. After high school in Richmound he attended the University of Manitoba for 1½ years before transferring to the U of S graduating with his BA 4 yrs later. Through the University Air Training Corp Program, he joined active service in the R.C.A.F. No. 7 until it was deactivated, where he completed his Bachelor of Education in 1972.  He was granted a fellowship enabling him to continue post-graduate studies in educational psychology. He worked as vocational counsellor at S.T.I. in Moose Jaw and Kelsey before becoming registrar at Kelsey Institute in Saskatoon in 1975 while working to complete his Postgraduate Diploma in Educational Psychology in 1979.  He retired from Kelsey in 1987. Bert’s community and fraternal organization involvement during his early working years included—president of Cosmopolitan Club; president of Catholic Welfare Society; publicity and funds apportionment committee for Saskatchewan Community Chest; director of Saskatoon Mental Health; Faithful Navigator of D’Arcy McGee Assembly, 4th Degree Knights of Columbus, 1957-58 and was acknowledged for serving 25 years of loyal and faithful service as a 4th Degree Knight by the D’Arcy McGee Assembly in 1979. He leaves to mourn his loving friend and companion for 36 years Carol Zubiak; children Kenton, Wanda (Stan) Sexton, Constance Dean, Dr. William (Lorraine Tessier), Alana Dean (George Duffy), Tim, Beverly (Steve Lapierre), Brenda Serpentini, Maryanne Dean, Bert Jr.; 16 grandchildren; 16 great-grandchildren; sister, Gertrude Broad; and numerous cousins, nieces and nephews; and the mother of his children Jean Dean. He was predeceased by his parents Lloyd Alfred and Alma Rosanne (nee Hamel); brother, Lyle Lloyd; sister, Helen Ruth Maher; brothers-in-law Don Broad and Terry Maher; daughter-in-law, Linda Dean; son-in-law, Enzo Serpentini; and grandson Kasey Hanley. Bert & Carol traveled extensively touring many US states and provinces during their working years and added trips to China, Portugal, France, Italy, Greece, Bali and cruises to Mexico, the Caribbean, and Alaska after retirement. He was a voracious reader and loved sharing what he read.  He flew around the world through his flight simulators – excited by the upgrades that made the scenery even more real. Bert saw the hand of God in all creation and expressed his love of mankind by supporting a large variety of charities, teaching a lesson in the Correction Centre, and daily prayers for all those he loved. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Friendship Inn, St. Paul’s Hospital Foundation, Saskatoon Food Bank or charity of choice. The Mass of Christian 2Burial will be celebrated at 11:00 a.m. on Tuesday, May 3rd at St. Patrick’s Roman Catholic Church (3339 Centennial Dr). Arrangements in care of John Schachtel – Mourning Glory Funeral Services 306-978-5200