Reading, VT – Dean A. Garrapy, 92, passed away peacefully surrounded by his loving family on August 28, 2026 at the Jack Byrne Center in Lebanon, NH.
Dean was born in Bristol, VT June 25, 1934 to Joseph & Hattie (Badore) Garrapy. In 1948, Dean and his mother moved to Reading, VT where he attended Reading Elementary School and met the love of his life, Beverley “Bev” (Becker). He attended Springfield High School until 1953 and shortly after married Bev on July 3, 1954.
Dean worked several jobs until finding his calling at Goodyear Tire and Rubber. He worked there for 33 years until retiring in 1986 when he became the town handyman. Dean served as a volunteer firefighter, helped with road repairs, was a committee member of Reading’s Old Time Ball for 25 years, and a 50-year member of the Windsor Elks. He drove the Reading school bus and enjoyed treating the kids to ice cream on the last day of school.
Dean loved racing, camping, wildlife, raising his beef cattle, and had a love for all dogs. He enjoyed a good barn dance and sharing memories of his life with his grandchildren.
Dean was proud of the home he and Bev built in Reading where he enjoyed spending time in his garage refinishing furniture, working on antique tractors, repairing whatever needed fixing, and spending time with family and friends. When telling people about Bev and his daughters, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and great-great grandchildren, he always said with a big smile, “look at what we started.”
Dean is survived by his loving wife of 72 years, Bev (Becker) Garrapy of Reading, VT , two daughters, Anna Tewksbury (David) of Springfield, VT and Debbie Ferland (Moe) of Lake Mary, FL., five grandchildren, Paul Tewksbury (Meghan), Shanon Tewksbury (Zach), Alden Tewksbury (Krista), Deanna Ferland (Brian), and Starsha Adams (Arthur), 11 great grandchildren, and 2 great-great grandchildren.
His is preceded in death by his mother and father, Hattie and Joseph Garrapy, half-brother Joe Brittel, half-sister Marguerite Allen, and several aunts, uncles, and cousins.
A celebration of life will be held at Dean and Bev’s home in Reading, VT on October 3, 2026 from 1pm-4pm
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