Richard L. Dean

Richard L. Dean, age 71, of Butler passed away suddenly on Tuesday, November 14, 2023.

Mr. Dean was born June 8, 1952, in Paterson, NJ, the son of the late Lawrence and the late Carolyn Elizabeth (Matthews) Dean. Richie has been an Active Member of the Butler Fire Department for 50 years and is an Exempt Fireman with the State of NJ. During his time on the Department, Rich spent time as the Captain of the Kinney Hose Company (Engine 341) and was currently an Active Member of our Fire Police.

Richie was always full of knowledge on so many topics and enjoyed talking with everyone. Rich also spent many years “on the desk” as the voice on the other end of the radio for the fire department at Butler Police Department as one of their Tele-communicators (Dispatchers). All First Responders in the area knew that if Rich was working, they would know exactly where to go, he could give directions in the days before GPS. Rich was a former driver for the Tri-Boro First Aid Squad for over 20 years and responded to many of the daytime calls. Rich spent 30 plus years as a dispatcher for the Butler Police Department. His stories helped pass many long nights at Butler PD, always ready to enlighten officers on property owners or locations in town, based on his lifetime in the Borough. We will long remember his stories, his love of the NYSW Railroad, his upbeat personality, but most importantly, his unwavering service to the Borough of Butler.

Rich is survived by his beloved children, Logan Dean, Joy Dean and her husband Ian Phelps and Hope Dean, his dear Aunt Jean Weaver, and loving cousins, Jay Dean and his wife Kathy and Glenda Dean and many, many other relatives and friends. Rich is predeceased by his devoted wife, Everdene “Dee” Dea

Viewing hours will be Sunday, November 19th, 2023, from 4pm to 8pm at The Morrison Etheridge Funeral Home Inc., 86 Bartholdi Ave., Butler, N.J. A funeral service will be Monday 10am at Butler United Methodist Church, 5 Bartholdi Ave, Butler, NJ. A burial will follow in Laurel Grove Cemetery, Totowa, NJ. In Lieu of flowers please make donations to the Butler Fire Department, 28 Carey Ave, Butler, NJ 07405, in his memory.