Dean J. MacGregor

MacGregor, Dean J. Greece: Sunday, October 11, 2015 at age 87 surrounded by his family when he boarded his last train and left to meet his Lord. He is predeceased by his wife Carol; brother, Richard. Survived by his loving children, Linda (Mark) Ballerstein, James (Stacey) MacGregor; grandchildren, Andrew Ballerstein, Michelle (Kevin) Howell, Meaghen (Samuel) Hurne, Daniel MacGregor, Mallory MacGregor & Linnea MacGregor; great-grandson, Cody Howell; many loving family and dear friends. Dean was a proud veteran of the United States Army and served our Country in WW II. He was a lifetime member of Greece Volunteer Ambulance and a retiree of Eastman Kodak. He had a love for trains and enjoyed his family. A special thank you to Fleming Point and to Pat & Her Helpers for all the love and care given to Dean. Dean’s celebration of life will be held Saturday October 24th at 10:00 AM at Vay-Schleich & Meeson Funeral Home, 1075 Long Pond Rd. The family is asking for all to bring a written memory of Dean. For more information and to sign his online guestbook, visit www.MeesonFamily.com Dean Joseph MacGregor was born on Friday April 13, 1928 in Cleveland, Ohio. His parents, Ann and Ford MacGregor moved to Cleveland after their marriage in 1925. The birth of Dean resulted in the MacGregor family moving back to Buffalo, NY to be closer to family. Dean often thought that being born on Friday the 13th would bring him ‘bad luck’, but near the end of his life, he reflected back on how he had been blessed despite his ‘unlucky birth date’. Dean attended Kenmore High School and graduated in June 1945. While in high school, Dean worked in his Dad’s gas and mechanics station, and was very proud of the fact that while driving customer’s cars to pick up parts and driving in and out of the station’s narrow garage he never got even a scratch on a single car. Too young to enlist in the Army, he joined ASTP (Army Specialized Training Program) and was sent to Rutgers in New Brunswick, NJ for college. He received his field artillery and Basic Training at Fort Knox in Kentucky. He later was sent to Kansas for Intelligence School before being sent overseas to the Julian Alps area of northern Italy. He received an honorable discharge in 1947 and attended the University of Michigan where he earned a Degree in Mechanical Engineering and a second degree in Electrical Engineering. While at college, he interviewed for Westinghouse and accepted his first job, working back in the Buffalo area. He met the love of his life at Horseshoe Lake, where the two families vacationed. He loved to tell the story of how he and Carol had to flagged down a train in the middle of the night for an elderly couple who wanted to return home. Carol Marie and Dean were married on June 5, 1954, the 35th anniversary of Carol’s parents. They resided in Synder, NY for the next eight years. In July of 1956 Carol gave birth to beautiful little girl, Linda Ann, and a cute little boy the following year. In 1962, Dean was offered a job at Eastman Kodak Co. and the family moved to Greece, NY. Dean accumulated many patents during his time at Kodak. Shortly after Dean’s retirement from Kodak he began volunteering at Greece Volunteer Ambulance as a dispatcher. He later became Treasurer and a CPR/First Aid trainer. During his retirement years, he enjoyed bicycling, long walks, making train puzzles and working on his extensive train layout. As Dean’s home became more of a burden he made a huge life change in 2014. He sold his home, packed up his belongings and got rid of his car, all with a wonderful sense of humor! He was excited to move to Fleming Point and arrange his new apartment his way! Dad liked to have control of his life and daily routine. He struggled during his increasing dependence on others, especially when it came to not being able to walk without assistance. There again, his sense of humor prevailed and we often heard him thanking and apologizing for bothering his wonderful caregivers! Pat Frearson and Her Helpers were such a Godsend to Dad and to Jim and I. They offered loving, caring and respectful attention to all Dad’s needs, as well as advice and support to us. Pat and the staff at Fleming Point went above and beyond, at all hours of the day and night, to meet our every need and then some. Dad passed peacefully, on Sunday Oct. 11th, in his own apartment with his family. Just six hours before the18th anniversary of our Mom’s death, she and the Lord were ready to welcome Dad to his everlasting Life!