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Dean Hokanson Obituary
Dean Thomas Hokanson, renowned Clinical Psychologist and esteemed Adjunct Professor of Psychology, passed away suddenly after courageously facing his final illness, on Saturday August 27th, surrounded by his loving and devoted family. He is survived by the "love of his life", his wife, Bessie Antoniou Hokanson, two daughters, Jacqueline Diane Shultz and husband John, Angela Renee Hokanson and her husband and daughter, one son, Alexander Bailey Hokanson, his wife Maria, and their daughter Georgia Elena Hokanson, two step sons, Jerry Vasili Copsinis and Steve Jerry Copsinis and his wife, Margaret, his sister, Gail and her husband, Chris Allyn, and a nephew, Curt Hokanson and his wife Katie and a niece, Erika Hokanson. And last but not least, his best friend Fluffy, the Wheaton Terrier. Dean was predeceased by his brother, Mark Hokanson and his mother, Wardine and father, Harold Hokanson. Dean was born in Schenectady, New York in 1945. He excelled both academically and in athletics. Dean graduated from Duke University with a Bachelor of Arts degree and from the University of Texas at Austin with a Doctor of Philosophy degree. Dean completed an internship in Clinical Psychology from the Institute of Living. Dean began his professional career as an Assistant Administrator of Patient Services at Newington Children's Hospital. Dean then went into private practice in Clinical Psychology in West Hartford and acted as an Adjunct Professor of Psychology at the University of Hartford. Dean was a free spirit and loved life; particularly including his love of golf, antique cars, movies, wine and gourmet cuisine and was an avid and enthusiastic participant in charity golf events. Dean had a remarkably strong work ethic and dedication to his patients, and continued his work until the last few weeks of his life. Dean will be tremendously missed by all and remembered as a wonderful, positive and giving person who prided himself in making a difference in the lives of others. Private family celebrations of life will be held out of state. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Boy's and Girl's Club of Hartford. The Farley-Sullivan Funeral Home has care of the arrangements.
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Memories and Condolences
for Dean Hokanson
Sponsored by the family.
Connie & Erika Trageser
June 23, 2025
Dean Hokanson was referred to me by a client in special education! He was a life saver for my daughter in High School at the time! She was struggling with test taking and not achieving up to her potential! Dr. Hokanson was calm, empathetic and so reassuring to me and my daughter! He provided a thorough detailed report for her to bring back to her Guidance Counselor! Thanks to his support and encouragement, she went on to be successful in her life pursuing a career in high tech in San Francisco!
Fred Latour
November 9, 2024
Dr. Hokanson and Fluffy cured me from my longstanding fear of dogs. Thanks to them, my wife and I now have two dogs whom we both love. It's been 8 years but I still miss Dr. Hokanson.
Brett
August 25, 2024
RIP great one
Janet L Arnold
August 31, 2023
Remembering you and your wise words! Brett still talks about you!
Janet Arnold and family
August 25, 2022
Remember one of the greatest men! We think and speak of him often.
Janet Arnold
August 25, 2021
I have previously posted here, but wanted his family to know that Dean (the Great One) continues to be in our thoughts and conversations frequently. My family was blessed to know this very special man.
Janet Arnold
August 25, 2020
On the anniversary of Deans passing I'd like to say that he continues to be missed, thought of and spoken about regularly. My son and I never forget to salute him as we pass his old office in West Hartford. Great man
Sara Kleinman
April 10, 2018
Sadly, we did not learn of Dean's passing until yesterday. He was my son's therapist years ago and we learned so much from Dean. My son loved going to him. He was really a very special person.
Bernard Barile
April 7, 2017
I just heard this. He was my mentor hired me at Newington Children's Hospital. He changed my life made me a better Psychologist constructive criticism teaching with a smile! Hard to believe hadn't seen him in years! I used to house sit on Mono pond when he was away wish I had one more opportunity to talk to him. Sad and upsetting. He always smiled!
Anonymous
April 1, 2017
I would like to extend my deepest sympathy to Dean's family. I hope that you can take solace in knowing that he was so appreciated by so very many people whose lives he touched and made better. He helped my children learn to handle some of life's great challenges and gave them information and guidance that they still quote today. Selfishly, I wish that he were still here to continue to offer his guidance and assurance in his always positive manner. Rest in peace, Dean, one of the finest people I have met.
Aaron F
January 23, 2017
Dr. Hokanson was a very kind man. He will be greatly missed.
Charles Vassilopoulos
December 20, 2016
I am seeing this now for the first time and I am in complete shock. I knew this man since I was a young boy and started seeing him regularly for years. I said farewell to him when I left for South Carolina, and since moving back I put off going back to him. Seeing this hurts, I told him everything. He helped me through my darkest times and without him I would have lost myself. He was a great man and I offer my condolences to his family. He was an amazing human being who took his job beyond what others would have done. May he rest in peace.
Cassie Van Dyne
October 6, 2016
He was the most amazing man I have ever known... so wise... I called him Oz (like in the Wizard of Oz) because he just knew so much about nearly anything I ever came up with. I could talk to him about anything and hear his words and suggestions daily. I just today found out and feel that I was so honored to have been blessed to know him. Condolences that his family must feel this loss...
September 29, 2016
I used to work with Dean years ago. For the past few months I could not stop thinking about him and figured today that I would reach out to him just to catch up. When I googled him and saw this obituary I thought it was wrong so didn't initially open it, instead I re-searched his name using his middle initial thinking it would omit the obituary. But it didn't. I would like to extend my sincere condolences to his family and friends. Dean was a wonderful person. Always kind, always selfless, and he had one of the best personalities. He will be truly missed.
Janet Arnold
September 8, 2016
It is difficult for me to wrap my head around that fact that this most wonderful human being is no longer with us. Dean has treated my son, Brett for the past 10 yrs. Brett has autism and he and Dean had many lively conversations about sports, politics, etc. over the years. Brett is 18 now, and Dean saw our family through all the hurdles as Brett grew up/ I also had many sessions alone with Dean to help me with the stress that raising a special needs child brings. It was always a pleasure to go to Deans office. A smile always greeted you and you always left with a tid-bit you didn't know before. we are saddened, yet grateful to have known this special man. He will be missed. All our sympathy goes out to his family and Fluffy.
Preferably Anon.
September 8, 2016
Dean was a wonderful man and has had a long term positive effect on my entire family.
I think we bonded when he disclosed that his undergraduate degree was in philosophy and we had, in fact, a rich common vocabulary to deal with many of life's complexities that modern psychology tends to ignore.
Between his unusually broad education and interests, his long technical experience, his willingness to look at and attempt to treat the entire human soul and his enormous work ethic, he routinely saw what others missed and got results where many others had failed.
Unless others rise to the occasion, we may discover in a few years the size of his contribution by the hole he leaves behind.
Preferably Anon.
September 7, 2016
So Sad to hear of the loss of a wonderful man. He had impacted our family immensely and were privileged to have had him in our lives. He was a man of "hope" for our family and many people in our community. We will miss him deeply. Our thoughts and prayers go out to his wife and family.
The HanFamily
carol and steven
September 7, 2016
Dr. Dean as we knew him. How fortunate are we to have spent many years with him. He helped my son in troubled times and guided him to gain self worth and gifted him to never feel alone. How we will miss sessions with him enjoying fresh cannolis. Heart felt prayers to your family. We are blessed to have had his care.
Carol and Steven
David Mohan
September 7, 2016
May Dean rest in peace! Thank you for your helpful suggestions and comments! We very much appreciated his dedication to our sons and his countless contributions toward their growth and development.
JoAnne Bauer
September 7, 2016
My profound condolences to family and friends of Dean Hokanson. His was a life well lived.
Rebecca Czlapinski
September 7, 2016
Dear Dr. Hokanson's family - I am so saddened to hear this news. I had Dr. Hokanson in an undergraduate psychology class at U. of Hartford over 10 years ago and I can still remember his smile and his overall joy and passion about teaching and about the world, like it was yesterday. He has touched and made an impact in so many people's lives - it is truly incredible. He will be greatly missed by many and I hope you find some peace in knowing how loved he was by so many. Hold memories close to your heart. With warmest thoughts.
Beth
September 6, 2016
We are shocked and saddened to learn that Dr. Hokanson passed away. He was such an important part of our family. When we shared the news with our son, Dean's ostensible patient, he told us how sad he was and "I really think he helped me with a lot of things in my life. What I'm trying to say is I know he helped me improve as a person. He was a great man." I say that our son was his "ostensible" patient because Dean helped heal our entire family with his insights, warmth, humor, and ready anecdotes. We all ended up seeing him for our individual and family issues over the years. It is probably a hallmark of therapy that when it works, the intimate relationship is suspended, and we have not seen him for several years. I wish we could have one more session to tell him that our son has found his way, that the two oldest have begun to repair their relationship, and that the youngest still uses the psychological learning tricks Dean taught him, all the way into his senior year of college where he is pre-med. Our condolences to Dean's family and our prayers that you find some comfort in the profound impact he had helping so many people.
Joan Guerrera
September 6, 2016
Bessie- we are so stunned to learn of Deans passing. Please know that Matt and I and our family send our prayers to you and your entire family. With loving thoughts. Matt and Joan
Dr. David Shack
September 4, 2016
It is with a heavy heart that I read this morning of the passing of Dean Hokanson. I was a colleague of Deans and always found him to be a warm and loving person. It is unfortunate that we have been out of touch for these many years but he will always remain lovingly in my memory. Wherever you are my good friend, I hope that you are at peace.
Claire Smith
September 3, 2016
Thinking of you today, Bess and Dean and family. The world is emptier without you, Dean. Joshua sends his love.
September 3, 2016
Dr. Dean remains alive in every success story that walked through his doors. Look not for what was but savor what is and will be thanks to this wonderful human being who unconditionally sat through hours of concern confident in his ability to enhance someone's faltering ego.
Truly, there is this one person put on earth to make a difference, and we lucky ones have found him.
May the sadness of his loss be seen as life.
Sincerely,
Connie
Hans\Lorraine T.
September 2, 2016
What a tremendous loss - we are very sad to hear of Dr. Hokanson's passing. Sending hugs to Fluffy and the entire Hokanson family. RIP. Dr. Hokanson - you will be missed.
Kathleen & Ron Joppru
September 2, 2016
We were so sorry to hear about "Dr Dean". He has been wonderful to my husband Ron over the last 5 years and was willing to help and take him as a patient and give him great guidance and support. They spent many an appointment walking with "Fluffy". He will be greatly missed. He was truly a wonderful, kind person.
James Wing
September 2, 2016
I offer my sympathies to Dean's family and my appreciation to his memory.
Dean supported many of my clients over the years. He made so many peoples' lives better and especially cared about children.
Dean was a skilled professional with a highly evolved integrity, but also a humble, patient and kind person. His personality radiated a kind of at ease feeling that set the tone when he was in a room and difficult meetings more amiable. Both parents and children always were comfortable with and happy to have been referred to Dean.
Count me among many professionals who will miss him.
Bob Vartanian
September 2, 2016
My deepest deepest condolences to Dean's entire family. Dean was a wonderful man, a true gentlemen; my coach, advisor and counselor who brought me through a number of challengers. He understood humanity better than anyone I know and I feel blessed to have been put in his path. His demeanor, his humble style and the way he carried himself was so reassuring and I will certainly miss his smile. For all who knew Dean benefited greatly from the relationship. Dean was a Red Sox fan and I a Yankee fan; I will certainly miss those discussions. Dean made the world a better place and I will miss him for the rest of my life. I send my love to his entire family.
S. E.
September 2, 2016
I am so sorry for your loss. Dean helped me make a very difficult decision many years ago and I will be forever grateful to him. He believed in me even when I didn't believe in myself. I hope that the esteem in which he was held and the knowledge that he helped so many people, including many children, will comfort you in this time of sorrow.
S.E.
September 2, 2016
Words cannot express how saddened we are by the news of Dean's passing. We will miss him dearly (along w Fluffy lounging by his side) and the guidance he provided us. Our thoughts and prayers are with you and may the love of family and friends comfort you during this time of grief.
Carl Giordano
September 1, 2016
I am so very sorry to hear this sad news... I was a patient of Dean's and just saw him about 2-3 weeks ago... I was concerned for his health but we did not discuss it and I respected his privacy... He was a very good and unselfish man to me and for that I am very grateful... We had many nice talks about golf and life... I only wish I was able to give him a hug, thank him for his help and offer my prayers to him and his family before his passing... he will be missed indeed... God Bless
Christine and Dylan
September 1, 2016
Dean will be missed. We thank him for his help. Our deepest condolences.
Claire Smith
September 1, 2016
Dean, you are one of the bright eternal lights in my life. The magic of you is that every thought you conveyed so obviously came from your heart as well as your brilliant, brilliant mind. You made, and will continue to make a profound difference not only in my life, but that of my son, Joshua. He adores you, As do I. We will love and miss you forever.
Our deepest condolences to Bess and your family. We hope that the sweet memories you all shared will come for eight Bess, your children and all who love you forever. That includes Fluff, too.
Love you, my friend.
Keara Valentine
September 1, 2016
An amazing professor and psychologist-- I always looked forward to seeing him and Fluffy around UHart or West Hartford.
August 31, 2016
What a wonderful human being. Thank you so much for everything.
Go Whalers ! -K and E
Cheryl Dinnie
August 31, 2016
I had him as a professor and enjoyed his classes. So sorry.
August 31, 2016
The profound loss of someone as dedicated and intelligent as Dr.Hokanson will leave a tremendous void in the world of psychiatric care.
Several years ago my son spent a few months in his care and came away a better person due to Dr.Hokanson's perseverance and genuine dedication.
The world has lost an irreplaceable gentleman and scholar who indeed dedicated his time and energy in helping others.
May the sadness of your loss be gently taken in the hands of our Higher Power and your memories help you through this time in your lives.
Sincerely,
A patient
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