Dean Guaneli

Dean Guaneli. He did it his way - up until the very end on August 27, dying peace-
fully in Santa Barbara from brain cancer which he fought valiantly for three years.

He remained "alert, oriented and ornery" and always up for a glass of wine with a
good meal. His wife Cristine Crooks, son Justin and sister Susan were by his side.
Born in San Francisco 70 years ago, Dean held onto his sunny California roots,
even as he fell in love with rainy Southeast Alaska. After receiving his law degree
from UCLA, he and Cristine ventured north in 1976. Dean practiced law for 30

years, authoring or overseeing the drafting of Alaska's criminal code; and ultimate-
ly supervising all of Alaska's district attorneys. His understated supervision style

was greatly appreciated by those closest to him.
After retiring from the Department of Law in 2006, Dean embraced the life of the
artist. He saw the world colorfully and spatially, and created artwork in many
forms, notably ceramics, mobiles and sculptures made from the stones, wood and
metal he gathered from the beach outside his Douglas home at low tide. He was
proud of his work and the gallery shows that featured it. And as many know, Dean

had a passion for basketball and played his whole life, striving to perfect his three-
point shot. He enjoyed all things vintage and brightly colored clothing which he

sought at garage sales and thrift stores, always after a bargain.
Dean and Cristine were life-long, curious adventurers.They traveled frequently to
Italy and Dean soon became known as a proud Italian tourmaster dispensing advice

on where to eat, what to see and where to find good wine to anyone who would lis-
ten.

Dean Guaneli. Creative, wry, tenacious throughout his good and long life.
A memorial bonfire will be held on July 3, 2022 in Douglas, Alaska, his home for
45 years.