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Dean Edson Obituary
Prior to moving to Tolland, Dr. Edson resided in Danbury, and Suffield. Dr. Edson was born Jan. 1, 1916, in Grafton, N.H., to Lucien Henry and Delia Harding Edson, and grew up in West Lebanon, N.H. He was a graduate of West Lebanon H.S., a member of the class of UNH 1939, and received his M.D. degree from the UVT School of Medicine in 1942. Dr. Edson was married to Eunice May Martel of Lebanon, N.H. They were married for 58 years. Mrs. Edson predeceased her husband. Dr. Edson served in the army in WWII, achieving the rank of major. He was a member of the Medical Division of the 156th Infantry, 1st Battalion. He trained in Texas and England and took part in the D-Day invasion in Normandy. Upon his return stateside, Dr. Edson served his residency at Danbury Hospital and became board certified in five medical specialties. Following his residency, Dr. Edson set up practice in family medicine in Danbury and served countless generations of residents before retiring - to the dismay of his patients - at the age of 82! At the time of his retirement, he was still making house calls. He was a lifelong learner and took pride in his great facility with languages, conversing with patients in any number of foreign languages. He served as chief of staff at Danbury Hospital and for many years as the team doctor for the DHS and WesConn football teams. He was known for never wearing a coat or a hat to games - even to the Thanksgiving Day game. He was the racetrack M.D. for the Saturday Night car races at the Danbury State Fair grounds. Dr. Edson loved to teach and valued his position as associate professor for the University of Connecticut Medical School. He enjoyed medical research and at the time of his death was working on a research paper with his daughter, Elissa. Earlier research was published in the magazine Connecticut Medicine in 2008. He was a member of the Danbury Rotary Club and won their most prestigious award, the Paul Harris Fellow Award, for members who exemplify the Rotary motto of "Service Above Self." He did everything with gusto and was a noted raconteur, dancer, traveler, and musician, and he loved a good meal.
He is survived by his sister, Louise Edson Tupper of Lebanon, N.H.; daughters, Dianne Edson Butt of Weston, Mass., and Elissa M. Edson of Tolland; and one grandchild, Samuel Butt of New York City. His companion of later years, Marianne Wagner of Suffield, passed away last year.
A Memorial Service will be held May 10, 2012, at 11 a.m. at the Tolland Memorial Funeral Home, with a burial immediately following at the Tolland South Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, please send memorial contributions to either The Dean H. Edson, M.D., Memorial for Canines in Action, or The Dean H. Edson, M.D., Memorial for Cancer Research to: Lisa M. Irwin, Branch Mgr., First Niagara Bank, 215 Merrow Road, P.O. Box 697, Tolland, CT 06084.
For more information please visit
www.pietrasfuneralhome.com
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for Dean Edson
ETHEL L AWRYTIS MATTHEWS
April 30, 2019
DR EDSON WAS MENTOR TO ME.HE TAUGHT ME MEDICINE BY ALLOWING ME TO WORK FOR HIM.HE WAS ALWAYS A FRIEND AND I THANK HIM FOR HELPING ME FOR MANY REASONS. I REMEMBER HIM IN MY PRAYERS AS WELL AS HIS FAMILY. GOD BLESS YOU LOVE ETHEL MATTHEWS.
Bonnie Minck-Klanica
May 23, 2012
When I was a little girl, many years ago! Your Dad was my doctor. I was always so scared and would pass out every time he had to give me a shot and even sometimes when I just had to go for a check up. As I got a little older and fiestier I would beg him to let me just swallow what was in the syringe. He told me it didn't work that way. I never was able to talk him into it but believe me I would try every time. He would give me the shot and then I would pass out. He always felt so bad and treated me with great kindness. When I think back I wonder what he thought of me, he probably hated seeing my name in his appointment book, but he was always so caring and would try his best to quell my fears. He was a great person.
May 13, 2012
My dad, Winston M. Wood (passed away 01/21/2012 in Deland, FL) and Dr Dean Edson were classmates at West Lebanon High School, class of '33. Although their paths may not have crossed again, Dad often spoke of Dean Edson as a friendly / very outgoing classmate who loved sports in H/S. We wish the Edson Family our best during this time.
Frank M. Wood, DeLand, FL.
Robert Hepner
May 8, 2012
Elissa,
I met your father when you were a student of mine in MRI. He was a remarkable man. My condolences to you and your family.
Robert Hepner
Joe Coniglio
May 7, 2012
Dr. Edison was a wonderful role model. I first met him when I played football at DHS in 1961. When I returned to DHS in 1969 to coach football with Gus Edwards, Doc. mentored me on injury care for players. I took his habit of never wearing a jacket to games or practices. God Bless. Joe Coniglio New Fairfield
Pege Minck-Cyr
May 7, 2012
Dr. Dean was my Doctor went I was a child. I will never forget his kindness to a scared little girl! You all have an angel to watch over you
Maria Johnson
May 7, 2012
Elissa, My deepest condolences in your loss. I will never forget how your father stood in for my recently deceased Dad at the Father-Daughter Spaghetti Dinner at Mill Ridge School when we were in 6th grade. Thanks for sharing him with me that day.
A Grateful American
May 7, 2012
A true hero that served his country in many ways, making life better for everyone. Thank you for all you have done to better the world.
William Van Hall
May 7, 2012
I moved to Connecticut in 1979. Played tennis at Germantown with Dean and three other players. I needed a family doctor. One of the players told me Dean did not accept new patients. I was in the locker room with Dean and asked if he could recommend a good family doctor. He said what is wrong with me. I told him what the other player told me. He was our family doctor until he retired. My family loved Dean. He was a great guy.
Bill Van Hall
Harold Evans
May 6, 2012
Elissa, my deepest condolences to you and your sister. My thoughts and prayers will be with you and the family.
Kathy Gabriele
May 6, 2012
May 6, 2012
As a nurse working in Danbury, Dr. Edson was always a welcomed site when he came in for rounds..He was so pleasant, and we always learned something new from his conversations. He was such a gentle person..and wonderful Doctor. God bless you, Dr. Edson.
Debbie Andersen
May 6, 2012
As a nurse for many years I knew Dr Edson and he was the kindest most loving MD I have ever known.
May 6, 2012
Dear Dianne and Elissa.
I am so very sorry about your Dad. I worked with him in the 1960's and learned so much from him. He was a great teacher and all around great human being.God bless you and be with you in your sorrow.We all loved him. Sincerely Ethel (Awrytis) Matthews.
May 6, 2012
Dianne and family,
I remember the times I spent at your home when we were younger. Your father and mother were so kind to me. We had a lot of good times, My prayers are with you. Carol(Anderson)Dorsett, Phoenix,AZ
Harold Saunders
May 6, 2012
Thank you for your service to your country
Sharon Gemza
May 6, 2012
I was a patient of Dr Dean's since I can remember. My fondest memory was when I was young I guess I didn't want to go to school so Mom called Dr Dean, who came to our house to check on me. Although knowing I was not sick, he told my mom to let me stay home and rest. Bless you Dr Dean!
May 6, 2012
What a gentle man.
Kathy Barrett
May 6, 2012
I send my heartfelt thoughts, prayers and condolences to Dr Edson's family. Words can't express how much he meant to our family, and I know he touched the lives of so many. He made the world a better place with the love and tender care he bestowed on all of his patients.
Phyllis Bauer
May 6, 2012
To the Edson Family, Our deepest sympathy on the loss of Dr. Edson. He was our family doctor for 30 years until his retirement. He was a great man. He loved what he did and he will be missed. With Love & Respect, Marjorie Hajj & Phyllis Bauer
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