John Joseph Dean

WELLSVILLE — John Joseph Dean passed away peacefully surrounded by family on Monday (July 27, 2026) at the age of 92.  

Johnny was born June 23, 1934, the eighth child of Jerome and Catherine Baker Dean. On Jan. 2, 1960, he married Wanda Gordon, who survives.

Johnny was a humble gentleman and a lifelong devout parishioner of Immaculate Conception Church in Wellsville.  He served as an altar boy for many years, then altar server until a few months ago.

Johnny enjoyed Boy Scouts and achieved the rank of Eagle Scout. He also received the highest award in Catholic Scouting, the Ad Altare Dei award.

Having attended Immaculate Conception School through the 10th grade, Johnny then graduated from Wellsville High School in 1952.  He enjoyed playing soccer, track and especially wrestling in high school.

Upon graduation, he earned a degree in mechanical engineering at Alfred State College. At Alfred, Johnny was on the wrestling team under Coach Alex Yunevic, and was proud that in 1955, the year he graduated, they were undefeated. After graduation Johnny joined the U..S. Army as a paratrooper with the 82nd Airborne Division.

He then worked as an engineer at Air Preheater for 36 years, and for many years Johnny owned the ARCO Gas Station in Wellsville.

Johnny was deeply involved in the community of Wellsville. He was an active lifetime member of the Emerald Hook and Ladder Company and once served as the fire chief. He belonged to the BPOE Elks Club and was their past exalted ruler, and a longtime member of the American Legion and the Wellsville Lions Club, and member of the Ancient Order of the Hibernians. In March 2026, Johnny was proud to serve as grand marshall at Wellsville’s World’s Shortest St. Patrick’s Day Parade.

As a lifetime member at the Wellsville Country Club, Johnny golfed regularly for 70 years. He also enjoyed golfing with his grandsons and briefly played with them a month ago. Johnny stressed the importance of being humble to both his children and grandchildren.

Johnny was a lifelong fan of the Buffalo Bills, and devoted Red Sox fan dating back to the Wellsville Red Sox. He especially enjoyed playing cards and games with all his family and grandchildren. As an avid reader, Johnny read the newspaper cover to cover daily.

He is survived by his wife, Wanda; two sons, Jay (Janice) Dean and Jerome Dean; two daughters, Jackie (Patrick) Searle and Julianne (Scott) Lamb; 13 grandchildren; seven great-grandchildren; a brother, Tom Dean (JoAnn); sister-in-law, Aurella Dean; and countless nieces and nephews.

Johnny was predeceased by his parents, Jerome and Catherine Dean; his brothers, William, James, Richard, Edward and Francis; sisters, Mary, Margaret and Helen; and daughter-in-law, Theresa Dean.

Johnny will be dearly missed and long remembered by those whom he touched in his life and the stories he told.

Friends may call from 7 to 9 p.m. Wednesday, Aug. 12, 2026, at Olney-Foust & Embser Funeral Homes & Cremation, 34 W. State St., Wellsville, and from 10 to 11 a.m. Thursday, Aug. 13, 2026, at Immaculate Conception Church, Maple Avenue, Wellsville, with a Mass of Christian Burial celebrated at 11 a.m. Burial will be in Sacred Heart Cemetery, Wellsville. Military rites will be accorded by members of the Wellsville American Legion Honor Guard.

Memorials may be made to the Hart Comfort House, the Emerald Hook & Ladder Fire Company, the Elks Club, the American Legion, or Jones Memorial Hospital.

Online condolences may be expressed at www.wellsvillefuneralhome.com.