George Dean Advocated for Women in Politics

George A. Dean, 73, of Southport, Conn., and Edgartown died suddenly on Friday, Jan. 10, in St. Vincent's Medical Center, Bridgeport.

Born in Chicago, Mr. Dean was a graduate of the Lawrenceville School, Princeton University and the Harvard Graduate School of Business. He was a retired advertising executive with Dancer, Fitzgerald and Sample with 33 years of service. After his retirement, Mr. Dean dedicated his time and energies to advancing the candidacy of women for local and national political offices, founding a nonpartisan organization called 50/50 by 2020 and actively supporting many other groups.

Mr. Dean was a past president of the Lawrenceville class of 1948 and Princeton class of 1952 and was chairman emeritus of the Woman's Campaign School of Yale University. He was a board member of many local and national organizations including the United VNA of Trumbull, the Woman's Campaign Fund, Emily's List, WISH List, the Schubert Theatre, the Sasquannaug Association, the Connecticut Coalition Against Gun Violence and UNIFEM of Connecticut.

Mr. Dean was honored with the Eleanor Roosevelt award from the Connecticut chapter of NOW and the Good Guy Award from the National Women's Political Caucus. He was a veteran of the Korean War and a recipient of the Bronze Star.

Survivors include his wife, Jane Kentnor Dean of Southport; a son, George A. Dean Jr. of Redwood, Calif.; a daughter, Diane D. Stocks of Longmeadow; a stepson, Jeffrey Pratt of Brookline; a stepdaughter, Susan Pratt of Santa Fe, N.Mex.; a brother, James F. Dean of Greenwich, Conn.; a sister, Georganna Dickson of Pomfret, Conn.; seven grandchildren and many nieces, nephews and godchildren.

A memorial service was held at 2 p.m. on Jan. 15 at Trinity Church in Southport. Memorial gifts may be made to the Martha's Vineyard Preservation Trust. The Spear Funeral Home in Fairfield is in charge of arrangements.