Published by Legacy Remembers on Aug. 1, 2025.
Cape Neddick - Ross I. Deacon of
Cape Neddick, ME, passed away peacefully on July 28th, surrounded by his family.
Born in Leominster, MA, son of Walter I. Jr. and Agnes (Todd) Deacon, he was a 1955 graduate of Leominster High School, and a 1959 graduate of Bates College where he lettered in basketball and captained the golf team, and became a longtime benefactor of the college. He then graduated from Naval Officer Candidate School and the School of Naval Justice and served as Criminal Investigations Officer at Naval Training Center in San Diego. He earned a Master's Degree at San Diego State University and began a 41 year career as a guidance counselor and school psychologist in Ayer, Gardner, and Leominster, MA and later Las Vegas, NV. He was also a part-time copy editor at the Worcester (MA) Telegram & Gazette for seventeen years.
A longtime avid golfer, his club memberships included Oak Hill, Monoosnoc, Gardner, and Crumpin-Fox (MA), Bridgton, Old Marsh, and Point Sebago (ME), Nevada State Seniors (NV), and The Villages (FL). He qualified for the National Senior Games in 2013, had 5 holes-in-one, and shot his age 252 times.
He was a lifelong fan of all Boston sports teams, especially his beloved Boston Celtics, where for years he would send his unique (and often unhinged) analysis to friends and family minutes after every game.
He was most proud of the many accomplishments of his children and grandchildren. He leaves his children, Deb and her partner Brian Carey, Sandi Deacon Carr and her husband Jerry, and Bill and his wife Linda; his grandchildren, Kendall Carr, Tommy Carr and Walter Deacon; his sister-in-law Cecile Deacon and nieces and nephews.
He was predeceased by his longtime partner, Pauline Guenette. He also leaves her son and daughter-in-law, Paul and Tricia Guenette, and grandchildren Luke, Noah and Jonah.
A celebration of life will be held at the convenience of the family.
Memorial donations may be made to Bates College for the Deacon Family Scholarship Fund at
http://bates.edu/give (designation other, enter Deacon Family Fund) or mail to Bates College, 2 Andrews Road, Lewiston, ME 04240.