Dean A. Geronimi

Dean was born on Feb. 1, 1931, to Austole and Rose Marie (Cheisa) Geronimi. Dean attended Kingsford High School but left school early to enlist in the Navy, which he did on March 16, 1948. Dean was a crew chief on a PBY where he rescued pilots from the water. Dean was honorably discharged from the Navy in December 1951.

Dean met his wife Mary at a chance meeting at a Newberry Hospital while he was transporting a patient to the hospital in Newberry. They began a relationship and married on Aug. 10, 1963, at St. John’s Catholic Church in Ishpeming. They were happily married for 60 years until Mary passed away on June 25, 2023. Together, Dean and Mary had a great love of animals and had a special bond with their dog, Lady. They also loved playing cards and dice with family or friends.

Dean and Mary were members of American Martyrs Catholic Church for many years. He was also in the Knights of Columbus and was a lifetime member of the American Legion. After the Navy, Dean drove truck for A & P. He was also part of the Dickinson County Sheriff’s Department and then he was hired by the Veteran’s Administration in Iron Mountain as the chief police office. Dean retired from the VA in June 1991.

Dean was an avid and loyal Kingsford Flivver football fan. He never missed a practice or a game, until recently, despite having to travel hundreds of miles to watch them. Dean felt very honored to have been chosen honorary captain of the team and tossed the coin at the game between Kingsford and Marquette on Sept. 16, 2022.

Dean enjoyed gardening and shared his vegetables with neighbors, friends and family. He took great pride in how his yard and flowers looked. He collected old farm equipment, watering cans, pocket knives and really any kind of antique.

Dean loved going to deer camp and was involved in building many of them for his friends. He loved hunting for birds and deer, often filling the freezer with their meat.

Dean is survived by his two daughters, Stephanie (Phil) Bellant of Mt. Morris and Anastasia Czappa of Quinnesec; his grandchildren, Alex Whisler, Jimmy Galbraith, and Grace Czappa; one sister, Mary Richard of Kingsford; one brother, Michael Geronimi of Iron Mountain; several nieces and nephews but especially Roberta Richard, John Coughlin; and special friends, Bryan Carter and John Mella (Diana); and his four legged friend, Lady, whom he loved dearly.

Dean was preceded in death by his parents, Austole and Rose Marie Geronimi; his wife, Mary Margaret Geronimi; a son, Stephen Geronimi; and seven brothers and sisters, Jackie, Tony, Carlo, Donald, Mera, Dolly, and Kathy.

Visitation will be held from 4 to 7 p.m. on Tuesday at the Kingsford Funeral Home. The Uren-Cooper-Johnson American Legion post 50 will conduct military honors at 6:30pm at the funeral home. Recitation of the Rosary will follow. Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. on Wednesday at American Martyrs Catholic Church in Kingsford. Msgr. Joseph Gouin will offer the Mass of Christian Burial. Interment will be in the Quinnesec Cemetery.

The family would like to thank Carol Hinds for taking such good care of Dean, Lady and the house. Also his home based medical team from the VA: Sue Scullon, his RN Nurse; Elizabeth Paling, PA; Ann Hammond, his Social Worker, and the rest of his team.

Thank you, Bryan Carter, for being such a good friend and son to our dad, he loved every minute he spent with you!

In lieu of sending flowers, please make donations to Boys Town (boystown.org/give) or the American Legion Post 50.

Condolences may be expressed to the family of Dean A. Geronimi online at www.ernashfuneralhomes.com.

The family has entrusted the Erickson-Rochon & Nash Funeral Home of Iron Mountain with the arrangements.