Madeleine Dean: “It is said that the Lord takes nothing out of season, and so in this season of Thanksgiving, I rise to give thanks for…”

“It is said that the Lord takes nothing out of season, and so in this season of Thanksgiving, I rise to give thanks for my big brother, Harry W. Dean. After 74 years of life filled with adventure, love, and laughs, my brother Harry died on November 20. Harry was the second eldest of our seven siblings, five boys and two girls; one for every day's grace, my parents proclaimed. We joked he was my mother's favorite. It turns out he was all of ours, too. Harry was an exceptional athlete, a champion pole vaulter with a wicked fastball. He was effortlessly funny, a natural storyteller, king of the one-liners. Harry was a Navy veteran, a good cook, a fisherman, surfer, a boater, a collector of cool and not-so-cool cars. As we got older, Harry leaned into his quiet side. He was a careful collector of people, relics, and their memories. He was a steward of our family's history, preserving the photos and legacies of those who came before. The same will be true for Harry. Madam Speaker, in this season of Thanksgiving, Harry's brothers and sisters, alongside Claire; Adrienne, Joe; and his handsome, loving grandsons, Joey, AJ, and Jack, we are thankful for Harry. We are confident that we will see him on the other side. We love him. ____________________”