Dean Deegan

Longtime Anchorage resident Dean Deegan, 86, died April 16, 2011, at a local hospital after a yearlong battle with cancer.

A funeral Mass will be at 3 p.m. on Monday, April 25, 2011, at Holy Family Cathedral with the Rev. Francis Hung Le officiating. Pallbearers will be his sons Gary and Michael Deegan, and his grandsons David and Christopher Deegan.

Mr. Deegan was born September 27, 1924, in Elma, Iowa. He graduated from high school in Elma and served in the Army during World War II. He entered college at Drake University and graduated with the class of 1950. He married Donna Schoo in 1950 and worked as a CPA with Lytle & Green Construction Company in Des Moines. In 1952 they drove up the Alaska Highway to move to Anchorage. He owned and was a partner in many successful businesses, the last as president of Alaska Wholesale from 1968 until he retired in 1990. He was a member of Holy Family Cathedral.

He enjoyed spending time relaxing at the family's cabin at Big Lake and working on many improvement projects. He also enjoyed reading and keeping up with current events. His family wrote, "He was a devoted family man, father and grandfather."

Mr. Deegan is survived by his sons, Gary of Anchorage and Michael from Gainesville, Fla.; grandsons, David and Christopher Deegan of Anchorage; sister, Maybeth Wilson of Waterloo, Iowa.

He was preceded in death by his wife, Donna Deegan, and his brothers, Lee and Neil.

In lieu of flowers, a donation to Catholic Social Services in Anchorage would be appreciated.

Arrangements are with Janssen's Evergreen Memorial Chapel, www.janssenfuneralhomes.com.