Dr. Donald E. Dearborn

1939 - 2023

Dearborn, Dr. Donald E., - 84, of Galloway, passed away peacefully at his home on Wednesday, November 29, 2023 from cancer. Don was born on June 21, 1939 in Portland, Maine and grew up in Dover, New Hampshire with his beloved sister, Chris Schleyer. Don attended St. Anselm's College and earned a Bachelor of Arts in History. Don began his teaching career in Alexandria City Public Schools in 1962. He soon transitioned into the role of a school leader when he became an assistant principal at Mt. Vernon Elementary School in 1965. It was there that he met the love of his life, his wife Joan, who was a fifth grade teacher at the school. They were married in August of 1966. Don continued to serve the staff and students of Alexandria City Public Schools as a principal, director and assistant superintendent until 1984. During that time, he earned his Master of Arts in Education in School Administration in 1967 and his Doctor of Education in Curriculum; both from The George Washington University. Don became Superintendent of Schools in Galloway Township, New Jersey in 1984. He served the Galloway community for eight years, and was instrumental in building three new elementary schools. Don completed his career as Superintendent of Schools in Ocean City, New Jersey from 1992 to 2005, where he worked tirelessly to build the new Ocean City High School. Don was known for being student-centered and counted his best days as those spent in classrooms with teachers and students. In retirement, Don remained active as a member and leader at The United Methodist Church at Absecon, and as an educational consultant for Global Connect. Don's most important leadership role was serving as the leader of his family. His dedication to Joan and his daughters, Meg Pasquerella, Beth Lubben and Sara Elburn, was unparalleled. He showed kindness towards and provided guidance to his sons-in-law, Bob, Matt and Matthew, respectively. Don was always willing to show a picture of or tell a story about his grandchildren, Andrew and Daniel Pasquerella and Caroline and Annie Elburn. He was also a proud uncle to his nephews, David and Matt Schleyer, and his niece, Jenny Herzog. Don is now reunited with his parents, Richard and Dorothy Dearborn, his in-laws, Wendell and Margaret Davis, and his brothers-in-law, Jim Schleyer and Jay Davis. While countless friends, relatives and colleagues knew him as Don, Dr. D., Dad, Uncle Don, Granddad or Dedaddy, all can agree that he believed in helping all children succeed. In lieu of flowers, those that are led can make a donation in his honor to an institution that allowed his granddaughter to succeed: Kennedy Krieger Institute in Baltimore, Maryland at https://www.kennedykrieger.org, or to help fund Christian Education programs at The United Methodist Church at Absecon at http://abseconumc.com. A Celebration of Life service is planned for Saturday, January 6, 2024 at The United Methodist Church at Absecon; found at 100 Pitney Road, Absecon, NJ 08201. Visitation will be held from 9:30 to 11 a.m. with the service to follow at 11 a.m.

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