Dean Ralph Sias

1940 - 2026

Dean R. Sias of Westfield passed away after a brief illness. He was 85. Dean was a TV announcer at Channel 40 for 40 years. He was known for his deep and distinctive voice. Born in Springfield and raised in West Springfield, Dean began his broadcasting career while still in high school by cohosting a teen program on WMAS on Thursday nights and spinning records at YMCA record hops on Friday nights. Dean attended the Leland Powers School of Radio, Theatre, and Television in Boston and, briefly, Springfield College. Dean served two years in the US Army as a teletype operator. Under the moniker, The Great Scot, Dean worked at WACE Radio as a disc jockey. He worked at WHYN Radio as DJ Mike Mason next. He began his role as television announcer when WHYN acquired the television station that is now WGGB. As an announcer Dean met many recording artists of the day such as Gene Pitney and Roy Orbison during the dance party craze. Dean’s announcing duties included appearing in local commercials and promos. He conducted sound checks, kept commercial logs, and ran the audio board from the audio booth for 4 decades. In retirement Dean volunteered for 15 years with Civitan International helping out as needed with local events, and serving one term as local chapter president, and one term as a district leader. Dean leaves his wife of forty years, Marcia (Ayers); son Craig A. Sias; stepson J. A. Marshall and Megan Marshall; step-granddaughter Teagan E. Marshall, MD; in-laws Arlene J. and Peter D. Mazza and Pamela J. Giard; nieces and nephews including Heather Tamara and Donald Loeber, Caroline and Timothy Colleran, Karen and Brian Costello, Peter J. Mazza, John C. Kiefer IV and Tricia, Stephanie and Jay Berard, Kimberlee and Jon Borges, Jeremy Giard and Robin, Brooke and Gabe Leidner, Cari Mach and Neil Tuepker; and many extended family members including grandnephews, grandnieces, great-grandnephews, great-grandnieces, and cousins. He was predeceased by his parents, Ralph J. and Elsie M. Sias; his sister, Cynthia A. (Sias) Close; his first wife, Sonia (Kidd) Deck; and in-laws John F. and Adeline R. Ayers, Greg Giard, Ellenjane and J. Carl Kiefer III, and Christopher M. Kiefer. The family would like to thank the caring staff at Baystate Oncology, our thoughtful friends, and our wonderful neighbors. Calling hours are Tuesday, January 27, 2026 at the AGAWAM CURRAN JONES FUNERAL HOME, 745 Cooper Street from 10-11am followed by a Mass in Sacred Heart Church at 11:30. The burial will follow in the Massachusetts Veterans Memorial Cemetery. For online condolences, please visit www.curranjones.com