William Alec Dean
Birth: March 11, 1929 in Eton, Windsor and Maidenhead Royal Borough, Berkshire, England
Death: July 5, 2023 in Victoria, B.C.
Plot: Row I – Plot 2
Biography:
Obituary posted by Sands Funeral Home reads:
Born in Eton, Buckingham, England, Bill lived an adventurous life seeing the world before settling in Calgary, Alberta in 1957 and meeting the love of his life and wife of 62 years, Zelda. He loved flying with his private license and enjoyed his sailboat for many years. Together they raised two children, Stephen and Marni, and quickly had nine grandchildren and 8 great-grandchildren. He adored them all and loved singing to them and giving them rides in his wheelchair in later years.
Bill performed in British Musical Hall in his youth. He then loved making theater and even performed once in a while. He was involved in the local community theatre scene as soon as he arrived in Calgary. Bill was then a driving force and co-founder of Beth Israel Players in 1970 along with Zelda. He was a much-loved Stage Manager, Designer, Set Builder, Technician and anything else that needed to be done and he loved every moment. Bill was instrumental in opening Calgary’s first professional Dinner Theatre and with Zelda, presented over 80 productions to many loyal fans. He enjoyed having cameo roles once in a while. Bill particularly loved the challenge of touring productions to small communities in Alberta and always had a story to tell about the adventures of touring.
Bill was an avid volunteer both in Calgary and Victoria, most recently for the Jewish Burial Society and Beacon Community Services, where he faithfully served for almost 20 years.
Bill was loved by so many people for his wonderful sense of humour and love of life. Despite numerous health challenges, Bill carried on in his usual stoic, brave and loving way. He had a smile and a joke for everyone and loved to help others.
Bill is survived by his wife Zelda and son Stephen. He was predeceased by daughter Marni in 2007.
There was also an obituary posted on Arbor Memorial’s website which read:
In Loving Memory
William (Bill) Dean of Victoria, BC passed away on July 5, 2023 at the young age of 94.
Born in Eton, Buckingham, England, Bill lived an adventurous life seeing the world before settling in Calgary, Alberta in 1957 and meeting the love of his life and wife of 62 years, [edited for privacy]. He loved flying with his private license and enjoyed his sailboat for many years. Together they raised two children, [edited for privacy] and Marni, and quickly had nine grandchildren and 8 greatgrandchildren. He adored them all and loved singing to them and giving them rides in his wheelchair in later years.
Bill performed in British Musical Hall in his youth. He then loved making theater and even performed once in a while. He was involved in the local community theatre scene as soon as he arrived in Calgary. Bill was then a driving force and co-founder of Beth Israel Players in 1970 along with [edited for privacy]. He was a much-loved Stage Manager, Designer, Set Builder, Technician and anything else that needed to be done and he loved every moment. Bill was instrumental in opening Calgary’s first professional Dinner Theatre and with [edited for privacy], presented over 80 productions to many loyal fans. He enjoyed having cameo roles once in a while. Bill particularly loved the challenge of touring productions to small communities in Alberta and always had a story to tell about the adventures of touring.
Bill was an avid volunteer both in Calgary and Victoria, most recently for the Jewish Burial Society and Beacon Community Services, where he faithfully served for almost 20 years.
Bill was loved by so many people for his wonderful sense of humour and love of life. Despite numerous health challenges, Bill carried on in his usual stoic, brave and loving way. He had a smile and a joke for everyone and loved to help others.
Bill is survived by his wife [edited for privacy] and son [edited for privacy]. He was predeceased by daughter Marni in 2017.
Funeral services will be held Friday, July 7, 2023 at 1:00 pm at the Jewish Cemetery on Cedar Hill Road.
Shiva will be held Sunday, July 9, at 5:00 pm at the Jewish Community Centre on Shelbourne Street in Victoria.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Heart and Stroke Foundation.
Note: The obituary states he was born in Eton, Buckingham (properly “Buckinghamshire”) but in 1974 Eton became part of Berkshire, following the changes made by the Local Govenment Act, 1972.
Parents:
Dorothy Mary Wise
Alfred Dean
Spouse:
Zelda Dean
Children:
Marni Dean
Stephen Dean
The Jewish Cemetery of Victoria, British Columbia 