MACKAY – Dean William, 57, passed away on Friday, November 15, 2019 at Queens General Hospital in Liverpool, following a brief illness with pneumonia.
Born in Truro, December 30, 1962, he was the much-loved son of Dale MacKay, Debert and Donalda (Morris) MacKay of Amherst.
Dean was a very special individual who faced many life and health challenges. He brought joy, love and happiness to his family and to those who came to know him well. His loving friend and caregiver,
Jo-Anna, remembers Dean as a jokester who liked to make people laugh. One of his enjoyable activities was to hold hands and sing with Jo-Anna as she drove. Jo-Anna’s daughter became a meaningful and loving part of Dean’s life, as he was “Uncle NEANNY” to Blayke.
Dean lived the last several years at Stonehill Community Home in Liverpool surrounded by mutual love, respect and learning. The family is forever grateful to Stonehill House Supervisor, Tracy Oickle and all her staff, of wonderfully caring, compassionate and competent individuals who cared for Dean. Special thanks goes to Mandie Zinck, his key counsellor.
Dean worked at Penny Lane industries for a number of years participating in various work activities. He enjoyed delivering meals with staff as a volunteer with Meals on Wheels and visiting the local shelter to feed treats to the cats. Some of his other favourite pastimes included going for drives in the van, having tea at Tim’s, and intently studying his home design magazines.
Dean is survived by his parents, sisters Paula, Natalie, and brother Greg.
Cremation and arrangements are under the direction of Chandlers Funeral Home, Liverpool. A celebration of Dean’s life will be held on Wednesday, November 20th at 1:00 pm at Chandlers.
Friends and family are welcome to drop by Dean’s home 154 Brunswick Street, Liverpool, following the Celebration at Chandlers. In lieu of flowers, donations in Dean’s memory may be made to S.H.A.I.D. Animal Shelter, Bridgewater, or a charity of your choice. Online condolences may be made to www.chandlersfuneral.com
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Amanda Roberts
Sending condolences to the family and friends from away. I have worked beside Dean since he moved to Liverpool in 2002. Dean had a charm to him that touched the heart. He had great love for his magazines, house tours and tea. His laugh, sense of humour and that wink will never be forgotten. Thinking of al those whose hearts he has touched.
Karen Broome
So sorry to hear this. He sure was a great guy. I had the pleasure of meeting him when I worked for QASL a few years ago, he shared a dance or two and looked at magazine with me and had a big liking for JoAnna always ❤️ RIP my friend
Cathy Allison
Thinking of you all during this difficult time. Cherish your memories of Dean! Sending my love.
Shannon Brown
Dean was a wonderful person and I enjoyed getting to know him during my time working at Stonehill. He will be deeply missed by all the staff at QASL.
Derrick Boudreau
So sorry, I knew DEAN a long time. RIP
Suasan and Andrew
Our sincere condolences and thoughts are with you all.
Dean was indeed a special person.
Tracy Crawford
Many hugs to Jo-anna and the rest of the amazing humans at stonehill as well as Dean’s family. Dean made an impact on everyone that met him, including myself.I always loved seeing him when visiting Aunt Shirley. Thinking of you all.
LaDonna
To Dean’s family
I wish to thank you for sharing such a special man with all of us at QASL. For over 17 years, he has been the icon of Stone Hill. A jokester and a flirt who won many hearts over the years. He will be forever in our hearts, as well as yours. May you find peace knowing how loved and cared for he was during his time with us.
Fly high Deanie…love you
Gail Huntley
It breaks my heart to hear of Dean’s passing.As a former staffperson from Pennylane, I enjoyed Dean’s company on a daily basis.He will be missed by everyone he brought a smile to.My condolences to his family and to his second family at Stonehill.Rest in peace…Gail Huntley
Gail Moore
My thoughts are with you all, take care.
Shaninne Corkum
I am still shocked and saddened to hear of the loss of Dean, I had the pleasure of working on Dean’s home for many years and as many have said he had a smile, wink and laugh that was contiguous! He had the best sense of humor and laughed at all the foolish thing people said or did. I will think of Dean and smile. He truly touch many people’s hearts especially his BFF Joanna, my heart goes out to her and all of Dean’s family. He was one of a kind and will be missed.
Trish Dagley
I will certainly miss your silly sense of humor and that infectious laugh. Its so sad you had to leave us so soon. ❤❤ you will be forever missed and remembered.
Stacey Clarke
Dean was so loved and cared for at stone Hill, I worked with Dean a few years back and he stole the hearts of all who knew him. Hugs to the staff and family. Dean will be missed and I loved his little wink .
Verna Wagner
A heartfelt sympathy goes out to Dean’s “other family at Stone Hill ” and to his “family from away “. I will never forget Dean’s infectious laugh as I drove him home to Stone Hill from his work at Penny Lane when I joked about sending a fellow resident from Allen House down the river in a floating bus. Dean also laughed when I would tease him about taking him to find a girlfriend before returning home. Dean had a great sense of humor and will be greatly missed all who had the pleasure to know him.
Kristen Wentzell
Dean will be missed by so many of us.. a sense of humor like I’ve never seen and a very contagious laugh. xo
Rebecca
I’m going to miss you Dean your laugh at bowling when I would get gutter balls or at work when you would be going home after lunch knowing we had to go back to work. Than you got your bell and you ding it all the time laughing in going to miss that laugh rest easy buddy until we meet again
Elaine Geldart
Donalda. I know how hard it is to lose a child. Regardless of their age they are still our children. I hadn’t seen Dean since he was a child and remember how much you loved and cared for him. It sounds as if he grew into a delightful and much loved adult. There really are no words that can take away the pain. Know that I’m thinking of you and your family.
Elaine Geldart
Michael (Mike) Ryan
I worked with Dean many years ago when he resided at the HCRRC. My sincere condolences to family, relatives and friends.
Julie Leopold
Soo very sad to hear of Deans passing. I will miss him. He had a very eccentric sense of hummer. When he smiled he beamed and his eyes sparked. He was a beautiful ‘ole soul. I enjoyed the time I was Stonehill and got to know Dean. Condolences to his family and extended family at SH&QASL.
RIP ❤️Deanie
Jenn and Thomas George
Dean has forever touched our hearts and will leave me with great memories of so many happy times. It’s been a pleasure to work beside him for the last six years. We will miss you Deanie xo
Bailee Skinner
My deepest condolences go out to the family and friends of Deanie!
Since working with QASL in May, Dean has never failed to make me laugh while I was at StoneHill. He would always laugh at me if I had difficulty with something. Dean had a contagious laugh with a massive personality. He definitely knew how to make someone smile!
Anne Roy
Rest easy Mr. MacKay… You will never be forgotten and the impact you had on Stonehill will live forever. Your humour will never be matched and that laugh was the best..
Thelma and Carleton.
So sorry Donalda and family to hear of your sad news , our thoughts and love to you all. love Thelma and Carleton.
Brian Fralic
I am so sorry to hear of Dean’s passing. I sat on the board at the time Dean arrived at Stone Hill so many years ago. He was a great guy and will be missed. he was loved by all at QASL.
Laurie Byrne
So sorry to about Deans passing
Deans giggle and beautiful smile will never be forgotten ❤
Sending lots of love and strength to Deans family and to his beautiful staff (family) at Stone Hill
Erin MacNeil
Heartfelt condolences to Dean’s family, and every heart he touched.
There isn’t a lot that I can say that hasn’t already been said. Dean had such a great sense of humour, and enjoyed playing tricks on others. After they caught on that he was up to something, he would usually be laughing hysterically.
I worked many shifts with JoAnna and Dean, and experienced the dance parties and breaking out in song. She sure will miss you the most, and I know her heart is shattered. We all have silly stories and memories to be told for a long time, I’m sure.
Sandra Cardinell
My sympathy to Dean’s family and his second family at SH and Penny Lane, Dean had a distinct personality that touched everyone who knew him as he shared himself so readily. He loved to be part of whatever was going on, laughing and winking and enjoying himself. It was a pleasure to work with him and be part of the SH family.
The Orme Family, neighbours of the Queen St location
Condolences go out to the gang at Stone Hill past/present and to his family in Truro. I would never have guessed his age until I read this, always so young and silly. Definitely a trait we should all have. I remember years ago I met Dean at Beach Meadows beach on one of their outings and welcomed him to his new beginnings in Liverpool, I thought he was a care giver and of course the laughter was infectious that day and boy the jokes came. I will remember this and smile every time. I have got to know many of the residents over the years, being a neighbor to the Queen Street home and my children always made them all feel welcome. When one passes in any of the locations, it hits everyone. Know you are all in our thoughts, workers, residents and family.
Colin and Marlene Murphy, Vancouver Island
Sincerest condolences to cousins Dale, Donalda, Paula, Natalie, Greg and family- I have very fond memories of us all playing together as kids, at Charlotte’s, on the Debert River, at fair day. Summer visits to Debert were always looked forward to with you guys. What a touching video. It is easy to see that Dean was well loved by all who knew him. He will be sorely missed.
Anita Fisher
Deepest condolences on the loss of Dean. I have childhood memories of Dean being a busy, creative boy surrounded by a loving, attentive family. He was equally blessed and a blessing to his family.
Lori Moore Taylor
We were saddened to hear of Dean’s passing. Hoping all the happy memories you shared will help ease your pain at this difficult time.
Our thoughts are with you.
Lori (Moore) Taylor and Garry Atkins
Stacey Burgess
My sincere condolences to Dean’s family and friends. I worked with Dean at the Halifax County Rehab Centre, and fondly remember his sense of humour, and the great pride he took in his personal belongings. Rest peacefully Dean….❤️
Cheryl Cooper
Donalda and family, I am thinking of you during this difficult time of loss. It was an honor to be present at the service yesterday and hear the sharing of stories and how much Dean was loved by many.
Cheryl Cooper