Dean B. Talcott passed away in his home on Tuesday, August 15, 2023, at the age of 74. He was born in Elizabeth, N.J., to Joseph and Marie (Braud) Talcott. Dean grew up in Cranford, N.J., and eventually moved to Fanwood, where he lived for 48 years. He was a graduate of Cranford High School and earned his bachelor’s degree at Fairleigh Dickinson University.
A professional engineer, Dean worked for Union County for 30 years, where he designed, supervised building and inspected bridges. During this time, he received several recognition awards for his work by the county. He retired at age 55 and became a consultant. It was then he began volunteer work as a Master Gardener and Master Tree Steward. His love was for trees, a real dendrophile, and he spent 20 years teaching fourth graders about them. Dean was instrumental in identifying champion trees in Union County and having them registered with the state. He was also instrumental in having tree signs placed in county parks.
Fanwood is a community he loved. He served on the Environmental Commission for many years and chaired several of them. Later, he became a member of the Shade Tree Commission and was also a member of the Clean Communities Committee for Earth Day. He was caretaker of the Fanwood Nature Center and designed and helped build the original trail Dean B. Talcott
bridges. He obtained community help from the Scouts and other organizations to maintain the trails.
Dean was a fun-loving and often just plain silly man with a zest for life. He loved nature and being outdoors.A member of the St. Bartholomew’s Oldtimers Softball League for 28 years and a captain for 17 of them, he really developed the after-game parties with his garbage can grill and sharing his homemade fruit wines. Hiking, biking, fishing, traveling and doing Jazzercise with the girls were his loves in life. He badly play guitar but sang very well. Identification of a song after 1-3 chords was a talent of his. Poetry became a hobby and he selfpublished his own book that included poetry, stories, songs and recipes (he liked to cook).
Dean is predeceased by his sister, Donna Talcott, and his nephew, Alex. He is survived by his wife, Linda; brother, David (Jeanne); adult nieces and their families and his nephew’s family. Also surviving is his oldest friend, Jack Fielder. Dean and Linda’s sweet dog, Pepper, is also a survivor.
Friends and family will gather for a memorial service at Memorial Funeral Home in Fanwood on Saturday, September 9, from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., with a service to follow.
In lieu of flowers, please send donations to Pancreatic Cancer Action Network (pancan.org) or The American Cancer Society.
September 7, 2023
