DEAN, ERIC - Eric Keith Dean, Valley, Colchester County passed away peacefully on July 14, 2013 in QEII Health Sciences Centre, Halifax. He was born in Dartmouth to James E. and Hazel May (Blakeney) on November 10, 1933. His initial schooling was at Hawthorne school and during those nine years he never missed an honour roll or one day of attendance. Graduating from Dartmouth High, Eric attended Maritime Business College, then worked in the family business and served as president of Dartmouth Arrows Baseball in 1955-57 until he decided to further his education which culminated in graduation from Dalhousie University with a Bachelor of Commerce degree. During those years, he worked part-time (summers ) for S. Cunard & Co. and later for British American Oil. His next step was the start of a career with Maritime Co-operative Services. Eric worked with MCS, now Co-op Atlantic in a number of management positions for 32 years and was appointed CEO in 1989. Eric is survived by his wife, Barbara (Gill); his daughters, Donna (Lester Steele), Lower Coverdale, N.B., Deborah (Douglas Shreenan), Lower Sackville, N.S.; sisters, Marion (Kevin Sheerstone) BC and Dorothy Otto, Truro; four grandchildren, Kristy and Katie Steele, Moncton and Erika (Brian Triff) Dartmouth, Scott Shreenan, Lower Sackville. Beside his parents, he was predeceased by sister, Marjorie (John Scott); brother, James A.; stepmother, Pearl (Archibald); his first wife, Eleanore (Dickey) and his best friend and brother-in-law, James Otto. Eric was active in the Masonic fraternity and received his 50 year jewel in 2006. He served as worshipful master of Keith Lodge 23 in Moncton, NB in 1986 and affiliated with Truro Lodge 43 when he retired in Truro in 1997. He was a member of the Scottish Rite and the New Brunswick Sovereign Consistory 32nd degree masons. He was a member of the AAONMS Luxor Temple, Saint John and transferred that membership to Philae Shriners of Nova Scotia. Eric retired as CEO of Co-op Atlantic and his efforts contributed to the establishments of a significant number of new retail co-operatives throughout Atlantic Canada. He used to often relate the growth as a result of the visions of previous CEO’s, McEwan, Dernier, Horton and Charuk, along with his own respective abilities to grow the business through staff who believed strongly in co-operative ideals and values. He served as CEO for seven years and at the same period was a member of the board of Canadian Co-operative Association. He travelled across Canada and made trips to Spain, the Philippines and Costa Rica on various co-operative projects. He served five years as Chairman of the Nova Scotia Co-op Council.
Cremation has taken place. Visitation will be held on Wednesday, July 17 from 7 to 9 pm with a Masonic Service at 6:45 pm; Memorial service on Thursday, July 18 at 2:00 pm with Pastor Jacquie Ross officiating, all in Colchester Community Funeral Home, 512 Willow Street, Truro. Interment in Crossroads Cemetery, Valley. Eric owes his life to several medical experts and wanted his obituary to acknowledge, specifically, Dr. Preston Smith, Dr. Donald Rowe and Dr. J.F. Legare along with the QEII cardiovascular staff who performed miracles on him. As Eric would often say “these people kept me on the green side of the grass”. In lieu of flowers those wishing to make a contribution in Eric’s memory may consider giving to the Shriners’ Hospitals for Sick Children or to the Heart and Stroke Foundation of Nova Scotia. Live webcasting of the service will begin on Thursday at 1:58 pm (Atlantic time) and is available with donations and on-line condolences at www.ColchesterCommunity.com “Good-bye, good luck and may our good Lord take a liking to each one.”