EDWARD B. DINAN

1946 - 2018

DINAN, Edward B. Northeastern University Professor and Former Verizon Executive Edward B. Dinan, 71, of North Hampton, N.H., and formerly of Cumberland, Maine, died of natural causes on Friday, February 16, 2018 at home. Edward and his twin brother Joseph were born on February 21, 1946 at St. Elizabeth's Hospital in Boston, MA, the sons of Edward Joseph and Catherine Marie (Scannell) Dinan. His early life was spent in Reading, MA and the family eventually settled in Portland, ME where he graduated Magna Cum Laude from Bishop Cheverus High School in 1964. His extensive education continued as he graduated with AB Honors from the College of the Holy Cross as a Presidential Scholar with majors in Mathematics and Accounting. He then began Post-graduate study in Economic Policy and Macro-Economic Theory on a Stanford University Fellowship. His studies were interrupted when he joined the United States Navy, where he served from 1969 to 1972 as a Lieutenant and Surface Warfare Officer on the USS Oklahoma City, the flagship of the Seventh Fleet in combat operations in Vietnamese Waters. After returning home, he worked for the Commonwealth of Massachusetts where he met the love of his life, Mary A. Leary. Edward and Mary were married on August 25, 1973 in Worcester, MA. They were blessed with six beautiful children. Ed and Mary were eternally dedicated to each other and spent 45 loving years together. Edward led a life of stellar accomplishments, academically and in the business world. He obtained a Master's in Business Administration with Honors from Boston University, as well as an integrated, international study at the Rottman School of Management, as a University of Toronto Fellow. He completed graduate study in advanced accounting theory in a doctoral program; Passed Comprehensive Doctoral Examination in Accounting (ABD), earned a Master's in Technology and Education Policy from Harvard University, and Master of Science degrees in Economics with Studies in Economic Policy and Applied Economics from Northeastern University, with distinction, as a member of the Golden Key International Honor Society. His accomplishments in the business world were equally monumental. His 32-year career in telecommunications saw a quick rise to numerous leadership positions at New England Telephone/AT&T/NYNEX/Bell Atlantic/Verizon including Vice President and CFO NYNEX Mobile, Vice President and CFO at Worldwide Services Group, Maine Business Unit President and ultimately as the Northern New England President and General Manager for Verizon Northern New England. Other significant roles included Regional Chair of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, Director of the National Council on Economic Education, Chairman of the Board of Directors for Maine & Company, Chairman of the Maine Reads Foundation, Director and Past Chairman of the Maine State Chamber of Commerce, Chair of Advisory Board for the Maine Learning Technology Initiative, and Director and Member of the Board of Mercy Hospital in Portland, ME. Throughout all of that time, Ed also pursued his passion as an educator, teaching at Boston University, Farleigh Dickinson University, and Manhattan College. After his retirement from Verizon, Ed continued his dedication to lifelong learning as he served as a Professor in the Accounting Department at Northeastern University. He was beloved by his students and was a finalist for Teacher of the Year in the D'Amore McKim School of Business. He was a man who loved life. He found joy in the simplest tasks from collecting his mail at the post office to "proper trash removal". He loved the experience of being alive — whether that meant hiking in the mountains, watching the Red Sox lose, sneaking out to McDonalds with his grandchildren, traveling the world, running Mackworth Island, or swimming in the ocean. It didn't matter if there were waves or not — as far as he was concerned, he wanted to "pack in" as much as he could. Ed lived a life rich with purpose and meaning. He gave himself fully to whatever he did, serving his country, working as an executive or teaching his students. He was tireless in his energy and commitment. Ed was a man who loved his family, he cherished his six children, his grandchildren, his numerous nieces and nephews and anyone else who was fortunate enough to be part of his world. No matter the twists and turns of life, the high or low tides, he was always there for them. He was a hero to each and every one of them. He had a unique sense of humor which instantly put those around him at ease. He would playfully ask questions like "who is the greatest person in the world?" In truth, the answer was easy, it was him. Indeed, he lived with poise and a gentle decency to those around him, he would say, "dignity comes in the struggle." Ed was the heart of his family, the pater familias, known as "El Magnifico" and he will be sorely missed. Ed was preceded in death by his twin daughters, Martha A. and Kelly A. Dinan, his parents Edward and Catherine Dinan, his twin brother Joseph A. Dinan, and his brother-in-law William E. Leary. He leaves his wife, Mary A. (Leary) Dinan; six children, Catherine Gagnon and her husband Matthew, Molly Dinan and her partner Gregory Denham, Edward Joseph Dinan and his wife Fiona Walsh, Matthew Dinan and his wife Michelle, Courtney Dinan, and U.S. Navy LT Lauren Dinan-Lombardo and her husband Joseph; three brothers, Thomas Dinan and his wife Stephanie Copeland, Peter Dinan and his wife Janet, and Christopher Dinan and his wife Judy; two brothers-in-law, Paul Leary, and the Hon. George Leary; seven grandchildren; and many nieces and nephews. Calling hours are Thursday, February 22, from 5 to 8 p.m. at the Athy Memorial Home, 111 Lancaster St., WORCESTER. The funeral will be Friday from the funeral home with a Mass at 10 a.m. in Saint John's Church, 40 Temple St., Worcester. Burial will be in St. John's Cemetery, Worcester. In lieu of flowers, donations in Ed's memory may be made to the Shriners Hospitals for Children.