 John T. Dealy, of Portsmouth, RI, originally of Riverdale, New York, died peacefully Wednesday, January 8, 2014 in Newport Hospital after a lengthy and brave battle against the effects of Multiple Sclerosis and Parkinson's disease.
Beloved by his family, he is survived by Constance (Fagan) Dealy, wife of forty-eight years; son Nicholas F. Dealy of Portsmouth, RI; daughter Amanda D. (Matthew) Haverstick and granddaughters Emily, Megan, and Greta Haverstick of Chester Springs, PA; sister Eileen D. (George) Gillespie of Harrison, NY; brother James J. (Angela) Dealy of Cincinnati, OH; sister Margaret D. (Robert) Ackerman of Boston, MA; and predeceased by sister Marcia T. Dealy of N. Brunswick, NJ.
John graduated from Portsmouth Priory School (1956); Harvard College (1960); Harvard Law School (1963). He practiced law for many years in New York, including as Assistant General Counsel at American Broadcasting Company.
After moving to Newport in 1988, he managed rental properties with his wife and became a licensed realtor.
He also volunteered, serving in staunch fashion on the Board of Consultants at Portsmouth Abbey School, Newport's Historic District Commission and the neighborhood Hill Association.
Somewhat reserved in discussing himself, John's interest in everyone else was avid and sincere and he was rarely hesitant about asking direct questions; the role of interviewer was one that he enjoyed.
John loved to cook and often did so for family holiday gatherings, sometimes for parties of fifty or more. A devotee of Julia Child's Mastering the Art of French Cooking, he combined the French art with a culinary efficiency learned while he was in the Army National Guard and assigned duty as a cook.
John followed sports closely, especially baseball and football; the New York Yankees and Giants were his favorite teams. John played golf and tennis and was a regular at the old Waterfront Fitness on Thames Street in Newport.
As John's illness progressed and his physical strength declined, he looked forward to challenging his mind in bridge games. John was a lifelong student of vocabulary, word usage and shades of meaning, and regularly did The New York Times crossword puzzles; he read the newspaper every day from cover to cover.
John was a man of dry wit and keen, deep intelligence who had an endearing smile and a kind trustworthy heart. A friend recently described him as "courtly" in manner and "stoic" in confronting his failing health. The dictum "never explain, never complain" was one that John recommended. A Memorial Service will be held on the morning of Saturday, May 10, 2014, at St. Mary's Episcopal Church, Portsmouth, RI. Donations in John's name may be made to Portsmouth Abbey School, Portsmouth, RI 02871.
Newport Daily News: January 29, 2014
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