Richard Thomas "Dick" Dean Ii

Richard Thomas "Dick" Dean II Age 75 Years of Park Street, 
Hatchet Bay Eleuthera repaired his last transmission and serviced his final engine, 
at the Princess Margaret Hospital on Sunday, October 23, 2011.

He was born at Hatchet Bay Eleuthera, The Bahamas on Thursday, December 19, 1935. 
He was the second son, who simply filled the family's heart and home with pride and joy. 
He was showered with love and attention by the entire family, including his grandparents. 
This was evident as was seen in the affection displayed toward him by his grandmother 
Julia Ellen Dean, who herself was a mid-wife. She pampered and spoiled him to the extent 
that anything he cried for, (e.g. other kids toys etc.) she would do her utmost to satisfy his desire.

Being blessed with a Christian home and God-fearing parents, Richard was brought up and 
trained in the fear and admonition of the Lord. His father, Rev. Richard T. Dan I the then 
Pastor and Minister of St. Stephen's Baptist Church, was adamant in his staunch discipline 
and left no stones unturned to ensure that Richard would grow up in the right and becoming way.

Richard's academic expertise materialized and continues at the Hatchet Bay all Aged School, 
under the distinguished tutelage of the late Rev. Dr. P. A. Gibson. Based on his Christian experience, 
he was buried with Christ in water baptism in his early youth by the late Rev. Dr. H. W. Brown, 
the then moderator of the Bethel Baptist Association. As a young boy, Richard's demeanor was 
aggressive and dauntless. He portrayed much of his mother's feistiness, which sometimes, 
unfortunately got him into "hot water".

Back in those days it was mandatory that a young man obtain a trade. Hence Richard's father 
ensured that he served as an apprentice to Mr. Philip Knowles, a renowned mechanic, where 
he mastered the skill as an ace mechanical engineer. Possessing a strong adventurous spirit, 
Richard left home to work on the Project in South Florida in 1956. Sadly however, he had to 
return home at the sudden death of his father. This was a most devastating blow to him and 
one of his most painful experiences.

Still desirous of travelling abroad he gained employment as chief engineer on the steam ship 
"The Six Shillings", which transported manufactured cargo from Jacksonville, Florida to 
Puerto Rico. During this time, he became fluent in speaking Spanish.

In his quest for love and companionship, Richard embarked on a chivalrous enterprise as 
was required in medieval romance. He was fondly attracted to a beautiful, elegant and talented 
young lady named Bessie Farrington. Richard and Bessie were blissfully joined in holy matrimony.

Richard was never allowed to be inactive or unemployed. At age fourteen, although still a young 
boy, he was capable of driving his father's big army truck, this assisting him with the delivery of 
the weekly mail to the neighbouring settlements. In later years, he re-located into Nassau where 
he gained employment at many establishments. These include Malcolm's Garage, Clifton Pier, 
Coral Harbour, Paradise Island, Package Delivery Service, Bethel's Trucking, Gladstone Farms 
and Purity Bakery. As chief mechanic, he was always in a supervisory position. Previously, 
here at home, he had also worked in rock Sound, Pineapple Cove and the Arawak Club. 
Whenever one job was terminated, he quickly found another.

To further improve and advance his technical skills, he obtained a degree in Locksmith 
Engineering as a Diebold Trained Locksmith Technician from Ohio University. Hence he was 
frequently called upon to offer his services to many of the banks whenever they needed to change 
their lock combination on the money vaults. He was the first black Bahamian to specialize in this area.

Richard was of great and significant influence to many of his peers and comrades. He would 
go to the extent of assisting them financially as much as was possible. In later years, many young 
men and children developed a father-son relationship with him. They would bring their broken 
bicycles to him to be repaired, or if they needed fishing lines, bait and hooks, they'd come to him. 
He had a ready supply of everything, so no one was turned away. There was also a time in his 
younger years when he and a group of other young men formed an acappella singing group called 
the Golden Gates, led by the late Deacon Vanderbilt Johnson. Richard also loved to play the guitar 
whenever he got his hands on one. Country and Western music created intense excitement in him. 
To further keep himself occupied after his retirement, he engaged in his hobbies with a passion. 
He loved fishing, gardening and repairing lawn mowers.

Earlier this year, Richard was referred to as the oldest man in Hatchet Bay. This he accepted 
with gratitude and thanksgiving to God. Realizing the brevity of life, he made his peace with God, 
so that when the end came, he'd be absent from the body and present with the Lord.

Richard is preceded in death by his:
Daughter: Paulette Christine;
Father: Rev. Richard Thomas Dean I;
Mother: Eula Rolle-Dean;
Brother: Carroll and "Lil" Tom Dean;
Sister: Dot Dean and Viola Johnson;
Grandfathers: Thomas Dean and Scott Rolle;
Grandmothers: Julia Ellen Dean and Claudia Rolle; 

The Radiance of this "Turquoise of A Gem" will always glow in the hearts of his:
Wife of devotion for over fifty years: Rev. Bessie Lillian Louise;
Three Sons: Ricardo Sr., Brent and Gavin Dean Sr.;
Nine Daughters: Holly, Dellarease and Ursula Dean, Carole Davis, Monique Miller, 
Tennille Sowerby, Tamika Bain, Richette Morgan and Patricia Rolle; 
Thirty Eight Grand Children: Todd and Deangelo Johnson, Sheretha and James Sands, 
Iesha Samuels, Kadesha, Melissa, Redel, Riccara, Brendea, Brittany, Alderay, Vanessa, 
Gavin Jr., Gavaun, Gavan, and Ricardo Dean Jr., Petrez, Racquel and Lashanedria Davis, 
Wayne Jr. and Wanterro Miller, Alancha and Nakito Thurston, Jonille Soweby, Glenora Evans, 
Brittney, Brandon and Devonya Culmer, Kevia Knowles, Giovanni Stirrup, Valentino Hart, 
Calvern Bodie, Myah, Althario, Quinteco, Quinteca and Quintonique Rolle;
Eight Great Grand Children: Cordesha Cartwright, Jameisha Sands, Charleston Olius, 
Derranae Adderley, Kennya Johnson, Alayah Saunders, Samari and Bernard Culmer;
Thirty Nine Nephews: Eurick, Mackey, Jeffery Sr., Lealand, Clyde, Stephen, Navardo, 
Sean, Teaco, Chuck, Renaldo, Dion, Curry, Grant, Dexter, Adrian, Leonard, Astley, Feliche, 
Wendell G. II, Dwaling, Kevin, Tyrone, Shawn, Devon, Nikito, Stevie, Kshawn, Jeffrey Jr., 
Shawn, Delvon, Cory, Kyle, Eustace, Antonio, Leonard, Orrentress, Glendino and Shawn; 
Fifty Seven Nieces: Doreth, Shirlene, Julia, Lisa, Rena, Eulamae, Iris, Adrienne, Charmaine, 
Gilder, Tamazina, Mertalia, Cleo, Veronica, Adrian, Heidi, Kera, Juanette, Kristen, Krizzia, Tanya, 
Patrice, Trennie, Vanessa, Merry, Iris, Kayla, Taylor, Euricka, Elisa, Levina, Estella, Tomika, Andrea, 
Leonora, Melissa, Kaycia, Ava, Nikola, Sparkle, Charmaine, Adrianna, Tanisha, Mikayla, Alexis, 
Patavia, Zendra, Dominique, Tanya, Adrianne and Lawania;
One Uncle: John Farrington;
One Aunt: Florence Belle;
Six Sons-in-law: Peter Davis, Wayne Miller Sr., Joseph Sowerby of Dania Beach Florida, 
Quinton Rolle, Emmit Smith and Phillip Morgan;
Three Daughters-in-law: Delphine, Patricia and Shakeitha Dean;
Five Brothers-in-law: Adrian Johnson, Martin, Cloyde, Rev. Lambert and Robert Farrington;
Six Sisters-in-law: Eunice, Maryann, Audrey and Deloris Farrington, Lorna Dean of Freeport, 
Grand Bahama and Arimena Ranger;
Adopted Children: Larry Saunders, Kevin 'Souse' Johnson, Kita Ambrister, Leahnora Knowles 
and Gennean McQueen;
Ten Adopted Brothers and Sisters: Wilfred, John and Stephen Coakley, Hyacinth, Sylvia, 
Alma, Marina, Wyatt, Ellen and Patsy;
Eleven God Children: Charles Jackie and Marvanique Bethel, Joan Stubbs, Jennie Kemp, 
Portia Algreen, Roberto Thurston, Lanchester Wells, Claudina Kelly, Louis Johnson Jr., 
Meralda and Miranda Francis;
Best Friend: Robert "Bob" Huyler;
Other loving family and friends including: Bertram, Jeffrey and Mary Belle, Eulean, 
Dennis, Dina, Rev. Eric, Cheryl and Earl Johnson, Vernita Mackey, Shirley Ferguson, Patsy Charlow, 
Cheryl Minnis, Esther and Shevaun Bain, Rhona Hutcheson-Bethel, Edith Hanna, Carmalina Burrows, 
William Albury, Ethel Farrington, Jane Smith, Emma White, Rev. Delbert Bethel, Mattie McDonald Brown, 
Dora C., Anthony, Campbell, Nathanial, William, Liz and Aubrey Dean,  Cedric, Lonnie, Henry, Bobby, 
Jackie and Jean Rolle, Lyda, Florence and H. E. Clifford Butch Scavella, Edna Symonette, Millie Cambridge, 
Mary "Merilyer" Simon, Billy, Leon Saunders, Bertie Carey, Natasha Smith, Hilton and Gladstone Cambridge 
of Miami and the Shantells Crew of Liberty City, Vivian Rahming, Robert Watson, James, George, Raymond 
and Betty, Lionel, Eddison, Hasting Rolle, Olga Bowles, Pastor Orlando, Clarece, Garnett and Harold Thompson, 
Billy Stubbs, The Mackey, Rolle, Johnson and Bethel families of James Cistern, Cyril Culmer, Teddy Johnson, 
Eddie and Keith Cleare, Ruth Beckford, Nellie Walkes, Belkis Poitier, Leroy, Charlie, George and Mack Pinder, 
Rocky Romer, Basil Connolly, Henry Wood, Clarence Gibson, Albert Rolle, Shirlaymae Higgs, Cranston Jones, 
Charles Olius, Gilbert Kemp, Peter. T. Carey, Ann Curry, Deidrie Sands, Candida Simms, Tabitha Haye, 
Patrice Bodie, Rev. A. DeWitt Hutcheson, Curly Aranha, Coral Pinder, Tenille Ryan, Kalsey, Steven AddieLee 
and Leah Johnson, Stephanie Saunders, Mary Dawn Culmer, Delvon and Priscilla, The McIntosh Family, 
Jack and Lynden Davis, Anishka Darville, Johnnie and Lavern Saunders, Bernie Brown, Rhoda McQueen, 
James Rolle of Nassau, Dwayne McKenzie, Charles Bethel, Robert Wilson, Remanda Goodman, Myrtis Newton, 
Steve Stubbs, Amos Daniels, The First Street, Meadow Street, and Seaside Club Crew, The Coakley family of 
Lewis Street, The entire Dean, Farrington, Cambridge, Hutcheson, Brown, Kemp and Pinder families of 
Hatchet Bay, Honourable Brensil Rolle MP, Honourable Alvin A. Smith MP and family, Rev. Honourable 
Philip M. Bethel JP and family, Bishop Robert McPhee and the Coopers Terrace Family, Lawrence Griffin, 
Mark Thompson, The families of the late Hayward Dean, Robert and Eula Pinder, Dorothy Johnson;
Special Thanks To: Male Nurse Austin Johnson, Dr. Pierre, Dr. Culmer, Dr. Munroe, Nurses and Doctors 
of the Eye Wing P.M.H, The Doctors, Nurses and staff of the Chest and Critical Care Unit of Memorial West 
Hospital Fort Lauderdale Florida, and the entire Communities of Hatchet Bay, Gregory Town and James 
Cistern Eleuthera.