Francis Patrick Dean

San Leandro, CA - Francis Patrick Dean, 84, passed away peacefully on January 9, 2013, with his beloved wife, Virginia, and his daughters at his side.  Francis, son of the late Jerome J. and Catherine Baker Dean, was born in the Dean family home at 376 South Main Street, Wellsville, N.Y., on December 15, 1928. He married Virginia Seligman on July 21, 1956, at St. Mary's Catholic Church in Bath, N.Y.  

Francis  was raised in Wellsville and was a parishioner of Immaculate Conception Church. He graduated from Immaculate Conception School and Wellsville High School, Class of 1946, and attended St. Bonaventure University.  Francis served in the United States Army and was stationed in Germany during the Korean War. 

In 1955, he began his career in the automobile industry at Lester Chevrolet, later becoming part-owner of Hetzel-Dean Motors in Wellsville.  The Dean family moved to California in 1970, and he was a parishioner of Assumption Catholic Church. Francis owned dealerships in Wellsville, San Leandro, Calif., Burlingame, Calif., and Pittsburgh, Pa. 

Francis was an avid sports fan and golfer, and he competed for many years in the Honda Pro-Am Golf Tournament. His community memberships included the Wellsville Lions Club, Wellsville Elks Lodge 1495, and the Wellsville Volunteer Fire Department's Emerald Hook & Ladder Company No. 3. 

Francis is survived by Virginia, his loving wife of 56 years, and their five daughters, Francie (Ken) Kunaniec, Carol (Jerry) Kekos, Cathy (George) Cramer, Mary Dean (Stephen Hegel), and Teresa (Gene) Fynes, as well as eight grandchildren.  Francis is also survived by his siblings, Mary Catherine Quinn, Margaret (Robert) Lagonegro, Helen (Jack) Schneble, John (Wanda) Dean and Tom (JoAnn) Dean; and his sister-in-law Aurella Dean. Francis was pre-deceased by his parents; four older brothers, William, James, Richard and Edward; and a brother-in-law, James Quinn. Francis also leaves many nieces, nephews and godchildren, in addition to longtime friends who have greatly enriched his life.

Visitation is Friday, January 18, 2013, from 2 to 4 p.m. and 7 to 9 p.m. at the J.W. Embser Sons Funeral Home Inc. in Wellsville.  A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Saturday, January 19, 2013, at 11 a.m. at the Immaculate Conception Church, 36 Maple Avenue in Wellsville, with the Rev. Sean DiMaria as celebrant. Burial will be at the Sacred Heart Cemetery.   In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the Comfort House of Allegany County, 141 East State Street, Wellsville, N.Y. 14895; the Emerald Hook & Ladder Company No. 3, 40 South Main Street, Wellsville, N.Y., 14895; or to a charity of one's choice.  To leave online condolences, please visit www.embserfuneralhome.com.