Denis Frederic Deane

Denis Frederic Deane, 76, an Educator, Counselor, Coach, Business Executive, Thespian, and Raconteur of Bedford, passed away on Wednesday, December 13, 2023. He was born in Trenton, NJ on December 25, 1946 a son of the late Richard Frederic and Catherine Shea Deane. He is survived by his wife Ellen Simpson Deane of Bedford, VA; and brother and sister-in-law, Kevin and Elizabeth Deane of Roanoke, VA. He was a graduate of Roanoke Catholic High School, Belmont Abbey College, and the University of Virginia. Denis spent fifteen years as a teacher and principle for Bedford County Schools. He moved to the world of business as HR director at Piedmont Label (now Smyth Companies). From there he moved to the nonprofit world as the HR director at Westminster Canterbury in Lynchburg. At both Piedmont Label and Westminster Canterbury, he became a vice president. His two major passions were theatre and baseball. During his forty-five years as an active member of Little Town Players, he participated in one way or another in one hundred and forty shows; acting, directing, set designing and construction, designing and setting lights, etc. For many years, he was in charge of buildings and grounds and led many projects. He served on the board of directors several times. The theatre was his home away from home. Denis saw baseball games in ballparks in every city with a major league team. Denis may best be remembered for his story telling. Regardless of the subject, he had a tale to spin. He was an entertainer for all of his life. Somehow, we think he’s probably continuing to entertain others. A funeral mass will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Friday, December 22, 2023 at Holy Name of Mary Catholic Church. Family will receive friends 5:00 – 7:00 p.m., on Thursday at Burch-Messier Walnut Street Chapel, 1235 Walnut Street, Bedford. Arrangements by Burch-Messier Funeral Home, Bedford, 540-586-7360.