Dean James Proyous Print E-mail

Dean James Proyous

 
Loving husband, father and grandfather
 
 Dean James Proyous, 70, of Westford, formerly of South Dartmouth, passed away peacefully with his devoted wife and daughter by his side at Lowell General Hospital. He was the beloved husband of Maryann (Morris) Proyous who survives him and with whom he just recently celebrated their 45th wedding anniversary on June 18th.
 Born in Fall River, Massachusetts, August 22, 1946, the son of the late James and the late Alexandra (Dardas) Proyous, he attended Fall River schools and was a graduate of Durfee High School in the Class of 1964. Eager to further his education, he then went on to graduate from Southeastern Massachusetts University (now known as U/Mass Dartmouth) with a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Social Work and Human Services.
 Before retiring, Dean was employed by the Commonwealth of Massachusetts as a Licensing Coordinator at the Department of Mental Health and Human Services in Wrentham for many years. Following his retirement, he worked for various private human service agencies.
 Very religious and active with the Transfiguration Greek Orthodox Church in Lowell, he served on the Board of Directors as Treasurer. He also created and helped to facilitate the church’s first Community Kitchen Ministries in which he served monthly luncheons to those in need in the Lowell community.
 Among his many interests, Dean enjoyed antiquing, coin collecting, listening to bluegrass music and loved reading historical books, most notably anything about Abraham Lincoln. He was an avid Patriots and Red Sox fan and had quite a vast collection of baseball memorabilia.
 Above all else though, Dean most cherished spending time with his family and dearest friends. He was treasured and will be remembered most for his calm, quiet, contented nature and his appreciation of peace and harmony and the simple blessings in life all around him. The saying, he could not hurt a fly, rang most true about Dean's spirit. He was a gentle soul and respected and could find value in ALL living things. He always did as much as he physically was able to do to help others, most especially his daughter and four grandchildren who adored him beyond any kind of measure. Seeing him and hearing his voice everyday has left such a huge void and wrenching pain in the lives of those closest to him 
 In addition to his wife Maryann, Dean is survived by his only daughter Andrea Shortsianitis and her husband Alec of Tyngsboro, MA; four grandchildren Theodora-Violet, William-Dean, Maryssa-Kate, and Elisabeth-Scarlet; and a sister Ann A. Proyous of Fall River, MA.
 There will be no calling hours. A Funeral Service will take place on Thursday, July 13th, 2017 at 11:00 A.M. at the TRANSFIGURATION GREEK ORTHODOX CHURCH on Father John Sarantos Way in Lowell. Burial will follow at the Westlawn Cemetery in Lowell. E-condolences at
www.odonnellfuneralhome.com. In lieu of flowers, those wishing may make contributions in his memory to the Community Kitchen Ministries of the Transfiguration Greek Orthodox Church, 25 Fr. Sarantos Way, Lowell, MA 01854. Arrangements by the O’DONNELL FUNERAL HOME – (978) 458-8768.
Condolences (14)
  • Suzanne Cookson
    Maryann and family, My deepest sympathy for your loss. May memories comfort you at this time. His spirit will always be present. Love, Suzanne, Rick & Nickolas
  • Carlos Matos  - To a good kind man
    I was lucky enough to have kown Dean. It has been a few years since I saw him the last time but i have not met anybodynicer than him. My deepest condolenes to his wonderful wife and family...Rest in peace my friend.
  • Helia vasconcelos
    Maryann,Andrea and family i am deeply sorry for your loss.Dean was such a kind and gentle man he will be miss by all who had the pleasure to have know him. My prayers are with you.
  • Steve Gorban  - My thoughts are with you
    Maryanne and Andrea I saw the posting of Dean's passing on Facebook. I am most sorry to hear of Dean's passing and want to sent my condolences to the family. Memories of Dean for me are poker with the guts and being fellow Greeks. I
  • Diana Konstantakos
    Dear Maryann and family. My deepest sympathy for the loss of your husband, father and grandfather. May his memory be eternal.
  • Kelli Weed
    Andrea and Family, I am so very sorry for your loss of your dad. My thoughts and prayers are with you all. Much Love, Kelli Weed and Family
  • Andrea Proyous Shortsianitis  - THANK YOU! ❤
    The past few weeks have been for us the most horrible of nightmares to exist through. Each morning when I wake, I've been mentally backtracking the awful events and hoping with all my might that maybe today would be the day we could finally wake up to the sweet safe way life all once was. However, such is life, filled with the best of times, the worst of times, and all those moments in between that make us know we are alive and that there is a life's purpose for all of us and that God has a bigger, brighter plan for us that someday we'll learn and surely will make more sense to our sanity. In the meantime I will treasure all of the dearest memories of my dad and syrive to breathe deeply and to be mindful that his special spirit NEVER really left us. It has only escaped his physical vessel which could sadly and inevitably no longer cradle him. My family and I must alter our perception of his present reality in order to continue to really feel his presence. In a way perhaps, God only knows, he feels more free and able to experience the world and the lives of those who cherished him so deeply in a more everpresent way and all knowing state. I don't really know and I'm definity not preaching with expert certaintly. But that is how I am trying to understand this phenomenon of life and death and honestly just gasping to draw any kind of comfort and peace from it all. I so apologize for rambling on and on with my thoughts!
  • Claudia Bangura  - So Sorry For The Loss Of Your Wonderful Father
    Dear Andrea, My deepest sympathy to you, your mother and your entire family for the loss of your dearest dad. May all his memories bring joy to your hearts forever and may his soul rest in perfect peace.
  • Michael and Wendy Wolfberg
    Dear Maryann, Andrea and Family, Mike and I send you our love and hold you in our prayers at this difficult time. What a treasure it has been to see Dean's kind and sweet smile each day across the driveways, such a warm and friendly, caring man. May his memory be eternal. Affectionately, Wendy and Mike
  • Paula Karalekas-Martin
    Maryann, Andrea and Family, My deepest sympathy to you all. Mr. Proyous was a very kind and loving man. May God bless and guide you through this difficult time. Cherish the wonderful memories. Love,Paula
  • Cindy Cowgill
    Dear Maryann, Andrea and Family..I am having trouble expressing my sorrow over this loss..My memories of Dean will be his beautiful smile, his conversations with me about the Patriots and the Red Sox, and the effect he had on Lady Katherine. A wonderful man, gone too soon. My love and condolences to you all. ❤
  • Anonymous
    Dear Marianne and Andrea..words cannot express my sorrow at this news. I will remember Dean's beautiful smile, his love of the Patriots and Red Sox..and..the effect he had on Lady Katherine. A beautiful man..gone too soon..my love and condolences to you❤
  • Sherri Highet
    Maryann and family, I am so sorry for your loss.
  • Harriet Avila
    Dear Maryann, Andrea and Family, Words cannot express how sorry I am. Dean was definitely one of a kind, loved by many, and I will miss him very much! Love, Harriet
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