Obituary of Joseph Alfred Dean Perry

July 2, 1968 – Summerside, Prince Edward Island

August 1, 2023 – Stewart, British Columbia

Dean Perry, of Calgary, AB, passed away on Tuesday, August 1, 2023, at the age of 55 years.

Dean was born July 2, 1968, in Summerside, PEI, the son of Alfred and Mary Perry. A proud Maritimer, he studied Culinary Arts at Holland College while helping to raise his infant son Tyler Montgomery born 1990.  He relocated to Alberta in 1992 working on seismic crews and met his wife Lynne in Calgary, AB.

Always feeling the pull of the island, Dean and Lynne moved to Kensington, PEI, in 1994 and were married June 1, 1996. Dean found employment at the New London mussel farm and then began working as a long-haul truck driver. Together they raised daughter Courtney born 1997, and son Spencer born 2000. They returned to Alberta in 2002. 

During Dean’s career in trucking, he had many amazing experiences and even spent a winter driving the ice roads in the far north. He had recently been working for Arrow Transportation driving in and out of the Red Chris copper mine and staying in Stewart, BC, coming home to Calgary, AB, as often as possible.

Always a passionate islander, Dean loved returning to PEI to visit family and friends. He also enjoyed spending time at the Johnstone family cottage at Buffalo Lake, AB. He was an avid and knowledgeable sports fan, a lifelong supporter of the Habs. He had an enduring love of music, especially Maritime music. Dean made friends wherever he went and would do anything to help someone in need, always ready to lend a hand. 

He loved to cook and host meals in the crew house in Stewart, BC, and was famous for his breakfasts.  Dean was looking forward to becoming a grandpa for the first time this month to Ruby Ann (Tyler and Julie).

He is survived by his wife of 27 years Lynne Perry of Calgary, AB, son Tyler Montgomery (Julie) granddaughter Ruby Ann of New Annan, PEI, daughter Courtney Perry of Calgary, AB, and son Spencer Perry of Calgary, AB; his mother Mary Perry (Dwight Peters) of Moncton, New Brunswick, sister Leah Morrow (Wayne) of Georgetown, Ontario; father-in-law Glen Johnstone of Calgary, AB, brother-in-law Craig Johnstone (Val), sister-in-law Gayle Dagg (Mike); numerous aunts, uncles, cousins, nieces, and nephews in PEI, Ontario, and Alberta.

Predeceased by his father Alfred Perry, his paternal grandparents John and Rose Perry, his maternal grandparents Ivan and Margaret Gallant, and mother-in-law Marion Johnstone.

Those wishing to pay their respects may do so at Windsor Rose (151 Walden Gate SE, Calgary, AB) on Monday, September 4, 2023, from 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.

Celebration of Life will be held at Family and Friends Restaurant (45 Broadway Street, Kensington, PEI) on Sunday, September 10, 2023, at 3:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. Condolences, memories, and photos may be shared and viewed here.

In living memory of Joseph Alfred Dean, a tree will be planted in the Ann & Sandy Cross Conservation Area by McInnis & Holloway Funeral Homes, Deerfoot South, 12281 – 40th Street SE, Calgary, AB T2Z 4E6, Telephone: 403-203-0525.