LILAC - Dean E., Sr.
Age 75, of the Town of Wheatfield, May 14, 2022. Husband of 35 years to his devoted and loving wife Blair L. (nee Pitz) Lilac; father of Dean Lilac, Jr. and
Taylor (Amanda) Lilac; grandfather to Wesley Lilac; son of the late Blaine Sr. and Ruth (nee Sholtz) Lilac; brother of the late Blaine (living spouse Nina) Lilac, Jr., son-in-law of Marjorie (late Edward J.) Pitz; brother-in-law to Valerie Pitz and Edward (Claudette) Pitz; uncle of Debra (Bill) Holahan, Blaine (Kay) Lilac III, Caitlin (Robert) Burns, Marissa (Nicholas) Salhany and Benjamin (Dorothy) Vangorp; great- uncle to Molly (Daniel) Matthews, Bradley and Joshua Lilac. Born and raised in the city of Tonawanda, Dean graduated from Tonawanda High School in 1964. He entered military service for the United States Army in January of 1966 and served as an instructor at the Jungle Operations School at Fort Sherman in Panama. Dean was honorably discharged in January of 1968 with the rank of sergeant. Later in life, he proudly served as the official bugler for the Chapter 77 Vietnam Veterans of America, based in Tonawanda, NY. Dean’s passion for music began at the age of seven. He played trumpet and cornet for several local bands throughout his music career. He was proficient in many styles of music, but his true passion was traditional jazz. Dean, being a musician with a day job, worked for National Fuel Gas for over thirty years. He was a man of strong faith and enjoyed Bible studies and regularly attended services at Eastern Hills Church. Calling hours will be held on Thursday, May 19, from 4-8 at JOHN O. ROTH FUNERAL HOME INC., 25 William Street (between Morgan and Broad Sts.), in Tonawanda. A Celebration of Life will be held on Friday, May 20, at 10 AM, at Eastern Hills Church, 8445 Greiner Rd., Williamsville, NY. Everyone welcome. A private burial will be held at Elmlawn Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Niagara Hospice. Condolences may be shared online at www.ROTHFUNERAL.com
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