Dean Fuller

Dean and I met when he was teaching an evening sailing course in a NYC school on 57th st. We got along so well that I joined the New York Sailing Club that I believe he was instrumental in forming. Lots of great days on the waters of Long Island Sound. Introduced me to a whole other wonderful world.

One summer I joined him and Gary Valentine on a sailing trip in Maine. The two of them had great Maine accents and lots of laughs. I remember they told many jokes, one I've retold countless times about Bert and I (Down East jokes), and pet rock stories. Of course there was theater talk and much celebration of the good things in life: wine, camaraderie, food, the sounds of the sailboat piercing the waves and wind.

Then I joined him on a trip to St Pierre and Miquelon from Halifax. It was after a hurricane--pretty rough across the ocean. We saw Northern Lights, Dean told war stories, we enjoyed the French culture there that he loved so much. Unforgettable trip. I think I may have met Jane there...didn't remember she was Dean's niece.

After I moved out of New York, we weren't able to see each other often. He did insist that I see this new musical at the Papp Theater called Chorus Line. He was writing books that I read. I went to his 80th birthday party and came to East Haddam once, when Gary was there. We talked about the revival of Princess and the Pea I saw with Sarah Jessica Parker. And he did call me almost EVERY Year on my birthday: "Ira Shapiro!!," were the first booming words I heard. "It's your god damned birthday..." and then we would catch up again. I loved his warmth and insights. I am really going to miss him.

Barbara,

I will write you something personal -but please know that I consider Dean one of the most gracious, kind men I've known. It simply shone out of him. You can see it in his photo. And this is apart from his considerable talent as a composer -I constantly hum (no kidding) the tunes he wrote for New Faces, they were part of my adolescence...and so I knew him, in a sense, from '56 on, and was thrilled to meet him when I gave that memorial to Marshall, and he participated and performed so expertly and so sweetly. It was he who made the crowd acknowledge me, as Producer of the event -I've never forgotten that most considerate move of his...and have held him fondly in my thoughts since then. He leaves a wonderful legacy of theater music, as well, I'm sure, as a bunch/a passel of love from his kids and grand-kids.
My thoughts are with you.
Warmest and best,
John

To the Fuller Family: My heartfelt sympathies go out to the family and friends during this difficult time. I hope that the promise in 1 Thessalonians 4:14 can bring comfort. Knowing that there's a hope for the ones we have lost in death can be so reassuring.

My favorite Uncle was the title of a college English paper I had to write about someone who had great influence in my life. I got an A+. Certainly not from the writing but because of the subject matter. I also want to say, he was on the Yale rowing team since there are three other rowers in the family.
My husband and I had a fantastic voyage to the French Islands of St. Pierre and Miquelan with Dean tailing hurricanes one late summer. Also as a child, I remember taking corners on two wheels in an MG with him wearing a cap and clenching a pipe. Great excitement. My siblings and I also got to experience riding in a rumble seat. He could recite foolish songs and tell stories better than anyone I know.
I will miss My Favorite Uncle.

Liza & John
My condolences to you both for the lose of your father.
I have fond memories of him when I worked at L&I Garage in Chester.
He always had a keen sense of humor when ever I worked on your Blue AMC.