Dean E. Bunnell

SOUTH CANAAN, VT — Dean Elton Bunnell, 83, of South Canaan, Vt., passed away on Friday afternoon, Nov. 15, 2013, at the Upper Connecticut Valley Hospital in Colebrook, with his family by his side and after a brave struggle with cancer. He was born in Canaan on Feb. 12, 1930, son to the late Nelson and Flora (Martin) Bunnell. Dean was a well-known local tinkerer, inventor, and master small-engine mechanic. For more than 50 years, he was the proprietor of Bunnell’s Sales & Service, repairing small-engine equipment for four generations of customers. He designed the Bunnell Waxmaster, a device for the waxing of cross-country skis, and he helped to design and build the Bunnell Pulploader with his father. He also designed well drivers and dug many local water wells with his son. In his shop, Dean sold Suzuki motorcycles and Bombardier snowmobiles for many years. He was the first person to own a Ski-Doo back in 1963 (giving up his smoking habit to be able to pay for it). Dean loved hunting, fishing, snowmobiling, motorcycling, chess and music. At the age of 80, he took up playing the ukulele with his daughter. He loved to tinker on all different kinds of machinery. He was also an accomplished dog-breeder, being responsible for a lineage of national award-winning beagles. Dean will be dearly missed by his countless friends, family and loyal customers. He is survived by his wife of 54 years, Gloria (Dorman) Bunnell of South Canaan; a son, Dean L. Bunnell and wife Janet of Columbia, NH; a daughter, Roberta B. Bunnell of South Canaan; two brothers, Nelson Bunnell and wife Pegg of Canastota, NY, and Clifford Bunnell and wife Shirley of Pittsburg, NH; a sister, Marilyn Madore of East Hartford, Conn.; eight grandchildren, Jody Roy of Colebrook, Gina Roy of Meredith, NH; Deanna Bunnell Roy and husband Sebastiaan Bentum of Stanstead, Que., Richard Bunnell of Colebrook, Kara Cummings of Boston, MA., Katie Bunnell of Dover, NH, Airole Cummings of Canaan, and Jonathan Bunnell of Boston, MA; as well as his seven great-grandchildren: Stephen, Hunter, Josef, Sean, Shael, Kristen, and Kayla; and his dog, Banjo. He is preceded in death by his siblings, Edna Grace, Helen, Burton, Emily, Everett, Maxine, and Jean. Friends and family are welcome to visit with the Bunnell family at the Community Baptist Church in Colebrook on Monday morning, Nov. 18, from 10-11 a.m., immediately followed by a memorial service. A committal and burial will take place at Noon that same day at the Morrison Cemetery on Rt. 102 in South Canaan, Vt. Pastor Justin Weberg will officiate. Expressions of sympathy in memory of Mr. Bunnell may be made to the Two Rivers Ride for Cancer, c/o R. Mulliken at the First Colebrook Bank, 132 Main St., Colebrook, NH 03576. Condolences may be offered to the family on-line by going to www.jenkinsnewman.com. Funeral arrangements are under the direction of Jenkins & Newman Funeral Home, Colebrook, NH.

Dean E. Bunnell

February 12, 1930 - November 15, 2013