Obituaries

The children with disabilities in Harrison County lost a friend, advocate and physical therapist when Harry E. Dean Jr. passed away early Sunday, October 2, 20216, at his residence in Bridgeport surrounded by his loving family.

He was a twin born on March 8, 1924, in Springdale, PA, to the late Harry E. Dean Sr. and Mary J. (Fisher) Dean.

Harry is survived by his wife of 52 years, Rebecca (Becky) Dean of Bridgeport, WV, two daughters, Lisa Marie and Fred Brooks of Clifton, VA, Julie Lynn and Michael Horner of Kingsport, TN, one son, Harry E. Dean III and Sharri Ross Dean of Great Falls, VA, six grandchildren, Harry E. Dean IV, Lauren Ross Dean, Grace Lynn Dean, Tyler Brooks, Josh Horner, and Kari Horner Durnin.

He is also survived by his twin sister, Martha Dean Boyce of Little Rock, AR, sister, Mary Jane Drum and Richard Drum of Murraysville, PA, one brother, Williams James Dean and Joan of Torrence, CA.

Along with his parents, he was preceded in death by one brother-in-law, Wally Boyce.

Harry graduated from Penn Hills High School in Pittsburgh where he was Senior Class President and first chair trumpet in the band. Harry began his college education at Muskingum in New Concord, Ohio. His education was interrupted by World War II. He joined the Marines where he served in the South Pacific Islands. After the war ended, he continued at Muskingum earning a B.S. Degree in Biology. He then attended the University of Pittsburgh’s D.T. Watson School of Physical Therapy where he received his degree in 1950. This was the era of Polio and the D.T. Watson School was also a facility for about 90 Polio patients.

Following graduation Harry was employed for two years at the Veteran’s Hospital in Clarksburg. In 1953 while full time at the VA, he began what became his passion, a long career treating children who had physical disabilities. He started on Saturday’s in the old Salvation Army building in Clarksburg at the request of the Rotarians. In 1955 the Children’s Treatment Center (Easter Seal Society) was constructed by the Clarksburg Rotary Club on Liberty Avenue. Harry spent the mornings there providing physical therapy to the children in Harrison and surrounding Counties.

In 1961 Harry was the first licensed Physical Therapist to open the St. Mary’s Hospital P.T. Department. He continued his morning program with the children. In 1971 he became Executive Director, as well as, Physical Therapist of the Easter Seal Society.  

He began a state camping program for children with disabilities. From 1971-1988 there were 90-110 children from all over the state, ages 6-18, that had a wonderful experience for two weeks every year beginning at Camp Horseshoe, Parsons. The camp was accredited by the American Camping Association. The State Police provided their Safety Director, Sgt. Jim Martin of Elkins, for the camp. The counsellors were individually interviewed and most were college students going into medicine, P.T., nursing, etc. Many of these counsellors came back year after year and many were mentored and became life long friends. After Camp Horseshoe then camp was held at Mountwood Park in Parkersburg and then to Jackson’s Mill in Weston.

Harry retired from his director duties in 1989 but continued working five days a week with the P.T. program and children. For decades the center provided physical therapy, speech therapy (subsidized the salary of the first speech therapist hired in the Harrison County Schools), summer camps, equipment loan pool, information and referrals and sometimes financial assistance for children and families with grave needs. While Harry was Director, no fees were charged for any of the services provided. Services were made possible through private and corporate contributions, grants, trust funds, etc. Harry’s reward was the many success stories of children with disabilities and their families in our area. In October 2007 Mike Martin presented Harry with the West Virginia Physical Therapy Pioneer Award. He was a member of the American Physical Therapy Association and the West Virginia P.T. Association.

In his early years Harry enjoyed flying small planes for pleasure and was a member of the Harrison County Pilot’s Association. He was an avid reader enjoying mysteries, flying and golfing magazines, and P.T. publications. He especially liked to spend time on the golf course at Sunny Croft with two of his best friends, the late Cal Forsythe and Fred Goodwin, and other members. Over the years he enjoyed many get-togethers with family and friends. Spending time with his children and grandchildren was so special to him! He said he was making memories.

For years Harry was a member of the Stealey United Methodist Church.

Family will receive friends at Amos Carvelli Funeral Home, 201 Edison St, Nutter Fort, WV, on Wednesday, October 5, 2016 from 2-4 pm and 6-8 p.m.

Rev. Del Parris will conduct a celebration of Harry’s life beginning at 11 a.m.  on Thursday, October 6, 2016 at the Amos Carvelli Funeral Home.

Entombment will follow in the Shinnston Memorial Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, please feel free to donate to the Shriners Hospitals for Children at shrinershospitalsforchildren.org/donate.

Expressions of sympathy may be extended to the family at www.amoscarvelli.com A service of Amos Carvelli Funeral Home.