Hays A. Dean Jr.

Beloved father, grandfather, great-grandfather, brother, friend, and arborist, Hays Austin Dean Jr., or Skip as he was often known by friends and family, passed away surrounded by his loved ones at the age of 79. He will be very missed by all of his loved ones.

Skip was born on August 3, 1942 in Beaver Falls, PA. A story he loved to tell was when he got his first paycheck, he promptly spent it on a sewing machine for his mother. A few days later, he came home to visit and she had made him a bunch of shirts and pants already.

He was a Certified Arborist and Master Gardener with an avid love for the outdoors. He had a reverence for the natural world, recognizing the wonder of place and trees and enjoying his time in the woods or climbing up a tree. There wasn’t a tree too high for him to climb. He had an encompassing knowledge about the world, always noticing and thinking about the little moments that make up our days: a cup of coffee or hearing about the funny antics of dogs would put that cheesy grin on his face. He was the hardest working person any of us knew, always willing to do something for his kids or someone who needed help. His children feel lucky to have learned the virtue of hard work from him.

He loved learning and thought about life as a continued journey of learning new things as well as listening to the lived experiences of those around him. He loved breakfast and sharing it with his community of friends and loved ones. He also loved animals and was a dog whisperer, never met an animal that didn’t love him. He had a lot of great stories and lived a full life, his loved ones will continue to tell these stories and keep his memory alive.

He was preceded in death by: his parents, Hays A. and Emma I. (Casassa) Dean; and siblings, George R. Dean, David F. Dean, Shirleen Baker and Lauretta Dean Schultz.

He leaves to remember him and continue loving him: his brother, William H. Dean; his children, Hays A. Dean III, Kathy Dean, Lisa McGovern and her husband DJ, Steven C. Dean and his wife Toni, Chad Miller and his fiancé Amy, Todd Dean, Alecia Beymer and her husband Patrick; his former wife, Kathleen Dean; his former wife, Antoinette Dean; a host of cousins; nieces and nephews; dear friends and loved ones; as well as 15 grandchildren and 17 great-grandchildren who were close to his heart.

Friends will be received Friday from 5pm until the time of a Memorial Service at 7pm, in the J&J Spratt Funeral Home, 1612 3rd Ave. New Brighton, with Pastor Donald MacNeil officiating.

To send a flower arrangement or to plant trees in memory of Hays Austin Dean Jr., please visit, www.jjsprattfh.com.