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BORN
1924
DIED
2013
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Dean Amidon Obituary
1924-2013 MONTEREY Dean Paul Amidon, Sr., died on Wednesday, October 9, 2013, age 89, in Great Barrington. He was born in Worcester, on June 6, 1924 to Stanley Barnard Amidon and Harriet Thompson Amidon. He attended public schools in Worcester and started going to Worcester Polytechnic Institute in 1942, but left college to join the Navy in 1943. He married Frances Robertson (on leave during the war) on June 18, 1945. After World War II he returned to Worcester Polytechnic Institute, where he was quarterback for the college football team, graduating in 1949 with a BS in Civil Engineering. Mr. Amidon had a long and distinguished career with the Massachusetts Department of Public Works from 1949-1986, including attaining the position of Commissioner of the Pubic Works for all of Massachusetts from 1979 - 1981. He was honored for his work with several professional awards, including, Engineer of the Year (Berkshire Chapter of Massachusetts Society of Professional Engineers in 1975, and Public Works Leader of the Year (one of 10 in US and Canada) in 1980. Mr. Amidon moved his growing family to their current home in Monterey in 1953 where, over the next 60 years, he became deeply involved in the life of the community. He was a co-founder and coach of the Monterey Little League, a volunteer in the Monterey Fire Department, Moderator for Town Meetings, served on the Monterey Planning Board, was active in the Town Republican Committee, served on the Zoning Board of Appeals. He was Lake Garfield's Harbormaster, was a regular member of the Monterey Coffee Club, and was Founder and Chair of the Monterey Veterans Memorial Committee. Outside of Monterey, he was a Moderator of Gt. Barrington's First Congregational Church, and served both on Fairview Hospital's Board of Trustees and the Medical Ethics Committee. He is survived by his wife of 68 years, Frances Robertson Amidon; his four sons and their wives, Skip and Blakely Ann, Peter and Mary Alice, Phillip and Jami, and Jay and Faye; 13 grandchildren; and 16 great-grandchildren. He was pre-deceased by his two younger brothers, Stanley (Buddy) and David Amidon. FUNERAL NOTICE: A funeral for Dean Amidon will be held on Tuesday, October 15, at 2 p.m. at the First Congregational Church, 251 Main St., Gt. Barrington, conducted by Rev. Charles Van Ausdall, pastor. There will be a burial with Military Honors immediately following the service in the Corashire Cemetery on Blue Hill Road in Monterey. The family will receive friends on Monday, October 14, from 6 to 8 p.m. at FINNERTY and STEVENS FUNERAL HOME, 426 Main St., Gt. Barrington. Donations in memory of Dean P. Amidon can be made to "Monterey Veterans Memorial Committee" through FINNERTY & STEVENS FUNERAL HOME, 426 Main St., Gt. Barrington, MA 01230. Remembrances may be sent to the family through www.finnertyandstevens.com
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Memories and Condolences
for Dean Amidon
Phillip
December 19, 2013
Few men have had such a loving father as my brothers and I had growing up. What a father and mother do with their family lasts for 5 generations. Dad left a legacy of love with his immediate and extended family. We get to continue this legacy. Mom and family received friends for over 3 hours at Dad's calling hours. Each visitor had something special to share. Thank you Dad for loving us boys, and, especially, for loving Mom the way you did. We are forever grateful to you for that.
November 26, 2013
Your family has given much to the community and he was a big part of that. We are all grateful for his legacy, having a big heart and actions that followed it. He will be missed.
Best wishes and comfort,
Marie (Pasche) Retherford
November 21, 2013
Our condolences to Fran, Jay and family.
Former Monterey residents Eleanor Varney Gradziel and daughter Patricia (now in CO).
Skip Amidon
October 30, 2013
Thanks Dad -
Peter Amidon
October 25, 2013
There is so much I learned from Dad I do not know where to start. I'll start with singing; Dad was a great musician and a natural singing leader. He valued hard work, honesty and loyalty. He was devoted to his family and expressed unconditional love to Mom and to us boys. He was a natural leader, and generous with his time to his family, his friends, his community and his country. Thanks Dad!
Clayton Amidon
October 16, 2013
Grampa- "was the best" in everything he did and touched. He blessed all of his grandchildren with a life time of love and life's lessons. His constant smile and infectious laughter made all of us grandkids that much better. They just don't come any better than Gramp!
October 16, 2013
Fran and Family,
I am so sorry to hear of Dean's passing, he was always such a special guy..
Fran remember, "Those we cherish will always live on in memory"
With deepest sympathy,
Janet Garber-Check
Boynton Beach, Fl
Stevens Kathy
October 15, 2013
Fran,Please accept my deepest condolences. Dean was the one person that believed in me when I applied to the Mass. DPW. He gave me the chance and I truly thank him every day for that opportunity. He would always listen to you, whether it was a personal story or work related. His fortitude in making the world a better place will not be forgotten. And,not that it doesn't happed now, but I will always keep a space open in my heart every time I pass the cottage.
He will truly be missed...
Jim Shiminski
October 14, 2013
What a great friend! He along with Bill Mileke surveyed the land/pasture I built my home on in 1961. Our best to all the family. Jim & Barbara
Robert and Jennifer Miller
October 12, 2013
Dear Fran and family,
We are truly sorry about Dean's passing. He was an honorable man. We always enjoyed our conversations with him. He was highly respected, a man of integrity. We just saw you both walking the other day. Monterey will never be the same. God bless you during this time. All our best, Robert and Jennifer Miller
Dean, relaxing at home in his favorite chair - Thanksgiving 2012
Faye Amidon
October 12, 2013
Being a daughter-in-law has been an honor for these past 30 years. Dean was like a true father to me and I will miss him dearly.
October 12, 2013
Dear Skip, Blakely and Family, I was saddened to hear about Mr. Amidon and was sorry that I never got to meet him and Mrs. Amidon after all these years. I pray that the Lord will give you peace and strength during this time of sadness and hold you in the palms of His comforting hands. Hopefully we can get together for a visit when you return home. I love you both.
Marsha Kappus
Keith Clarin
October 11, 2013
There was never a visit to Monterey without a stop at the cottage and a drink on the porch with Dean and in his memory the tradition will continue.
October 11, 2013
Dear Aunt Frannie and Family,
Our deepest sympathies, thoughts and prayers.
All our Love,
Dawn & Grayce Rose and Nick Regan
October 11, 2013
Dear Fran and family,
We are so sorry for your loss. We will always remember Dean.
Kind regards,
Michael and Stephanie Sloane
Monterey Police Department
October 11, 2013
Dear Fran and family the Monterey Police Department would like to express our condolence to your family. Dean was a great supporter of the Town of Monterey and Lake Garfield. Dean will be missed but will always be remembered.
October 11, 2013
Dear Fran and Family,
We are deeply saddened by your loss. Dean was such a warm and outgoing gentlemen. We will miss seeing him at church. He played such a valued role in the life of the church. Our thoughts and prayers are with you all.
With much love, Jerry & Dona Kellogg
Nick and Betty Wool
October 11, 2013
May the love of friends and family carry you through your grief.
October 11, 2013
DEAR FRAN AND KIDS, NMY PRAYERS ARE FOR YOU AT THIS TIME OF SORROW.
AN OLD FRIEND,
RAY CHAMBERLAND
GEER VILLAGE
CANAAN, CT.
Ross Dindio
October 11, 2013
Dean was more than a co-worker to me, he gave me an opportunity to grow as a professional engineer. It was Dean who saw something that others didn't, his mentorship and guidance changed my life, allowed me to excel with the old Mass DPW. I will miss dean and will forever me thankful for his friendship and advice. My condolence to his wife and family.
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