Dr. Vaughn M. Dunn

1945 - 2025

Dr. Vaughn Michael Dunn
November 30, 2025
Dr. Vaughn M. Dunn, of Greenwich, CT, passed peacefully on November 30th, after attending the first Sunday of Advent at Stanwich Church. He was surrounded by his loving family as he entered into Paradise. His last meal was Communion. Dr. Dunn was born on Easter Sunday, April 1, 1945, in New Jersey. He was an only child to Michael J. and Betty Irene Dunn. As a youngster, Vaughn loved summers at the Jersey Shore. He would rise early, ride his bike to the bakery for a doughnut, and read the sports section of the Daily News. He would then round up about nine friends of all ages, biking to their homes and knocking on the front doors. Mothers greeted him warmly and let him go upstairs to wake their sons so they could surf and play water tag at the beach. The "gang" was even featured on a postcard for the beach. Every day was an adventure, and Vaughn learned early how to bring people together. His deep love for dogs kept his mother busy, as he was known to pick up strays or even neighbors' dogs if he thought they were not being properly cared for. Dr. Dunn was a competitive swimmer at the University of Notre Dame, where he graduated with a BS degree, and became a member of the Monogram Club. He attended medical school at Columbia University and completed his residency in otolaryngology. He became a renowned head and neck surgeon and ENT Specialist, with patients flying in from all over to see him. He was beloved by all, with an amazing ability to put children at ease. Vaughn worked incredibly hard, yet remained a kid at heart. He was known to celebrate the first snow of the season with an impromptu snowball fight with his staff. He never turned a sick patient away, which sometimes led to very long waits in his office, but everyone understood. He maintained a private practice in Norwalk, CT, for 40 years. He first met his wife, Jane Alison Hussar, while running Derby Day at Greenwich Country Club. Years later, they reconnected and fell instantly in love. After a blissful two-year courtship, they were happily married for 37 years. Together they were active in philanthropy and supported many organizations, including Audubon Greenwich, the Garden Club of America and the Greenwich Land Trust. He proudly served on the Patricia Heyman Foundation, which awards financial scholarships to college-bound students. Vaughn enjoyed wonderful dinners with friends and was a member of the Greenwich Country Club, Indian Harbor Yacht Club and the New York Yacht Club. His competitive and playful nature fueled his endeavors: racing friends home from dinners, pulling pranks, and even, in his final days as he struggled to drink, challenging his wife to see who could consume more water. He was an accomplished pianist who loved Notre Dame football, the Yankees, playing polo, surfing, cycling, films, music, and, above all, being with his family. Vaughn had an incredible eye for beauty and left his imprint on multiple estates in Greenwich and Newport, RI, where he raised his three children: Bryan Christopher Dunn (Jamie and grandson Jensen Vaughn), Harrison Reed Dunn (Stefana), and Caroline Elizabeth Graham Dunn Quick (Ryan). He had a wonderful sense of humor. When you saw the gleam in his eye, you knew he was about to say something that would make you laugh and keep you smiling. He loved to learn and share his knowledge and passions with his friends, family, and dedicated caregivers. After becoming a quadriplegic in 2008, Vaughn persevered. He devoted himself to his family and to the incredible friends who supported him. The love around him kept him going. Vaughn loved the sun. Not even the frigid winter could stop him from sitting outside, bundled in fur blankets like a tribal chief, soaking in the sun's warmth. He found comfort once again in his imagination-being read to, making up games, and daydreaming with his family about exotic trips to Lake Eyre, Mount Kilimanjaro, and, the French Southern Antarctic Lands. In his later years, Vaughn focused deeply on his faith, participating in En Theos, a group of men committed to exploring the Christian faith. They met in his home weekly for many years. As one of his good friends said, "I think of Vaughn as an unintentional healer of souls. He did not choose that role after he was deprived of the role he chose. But, with a little introspection, the evidence is there. The truth is, we are all better for knowing him, and he's made a healing difference in our lives." And, in the words of His Eminence Cardinal Timothy Dolan, "Vaughn's been so heroic and struggled for so many years. So, the Lord has taken him home and we are grateful for the time we had." Funeral services will be held on Friday, December 19, at 11:00 a.m. at Stanwich Church, 202 Taconic Road, Greenwich, CT. In lieu of flowers, Vaughn would want you to honor his memory by supporting the enrichment of your surroundings, particularly in ways that help children and dogs.