Dean Hallifax

Dean Richard Hallifax passed away suddenly and unexpectedly at Lakeland Regional Health Medical Center on Friday November 17, 2023. Dean was born March 6, 1954 in Marquette, Michigan to Richard and Mary Jayne Hallifax. He enjoyed a healthy traditional childhood as life was special growing up in the 50’s and 60’s. Spending time with the family at Moccasin Lake on an occasional weekend, fishing, snowmobiling, skiing, archery and especially being a member of the Silver Echoes Drum and Bugle Corps were memories treasured by Dean throughout his lifetime. Dean developed a good work ethic from mom and dad and like all of us in the family, started working odd jobs at an early age and continued to do so up to his untimely death.

Dean attended William G. Mather High School in Munising, Michigan and graduated in 1972 and from there he entered careers following the paths of both parents. A couple of decades were spent working in the mortuary business, mostly in the Detroit area and in Lakeland, Florida where he has lived for the past thirty years. He was also skilled in videography, documenting momentous events in people’s lives plus transferring 8mm movie film onto DVD’s in the day.  Dean was humbly proud of the small apartment complex he managed for almost thirty years in Lakeland. His job title was comparable to who we referred to as Mr. Roper on ‘Three’s Company’, a sitcom from the late 70’s.

Dean lived a quiet and modest life in a mobile home park In Lakeland, Florida in what he affectionally called “the crib”. His main form of communication was Facebook, maintaining lifelong friendships, especially a few from grade-school days. He loved his animals and any animal adopted by Dean was guaranteed a loving nurtured life. Over the years, Dean had many four-legged companions (dogs and cats) which were a big part of his life. But most of all Dean treasured family relationships and will be terribly missed as he was taken away much too soon.

Dean is survived by his mother Mary Jayne Hallifax, sisters Janeen Chebli, Laurel Boucher, nephews Zachary (Chelsey) Boucher, Steve Bush, Kyle (Kaela) Bush, and great-nephew Henry Bush. Dean was preceded in death by his father, Richard Dean Hallifax, sister Heather Bush and brothers-in-law Tony Chebli and Dan Boucher.