Burton Dean Stearns

LOVELL – Burton Dean Stearns, 86, passed away peacefully at home on Oct. 24, 2025, in Lovell. A devoted husband, father, and community member, “Dean” lived his life marked by dedication to family, faith, and service.

Born on June 10, 1939, in North Conway, N.H., Dean was the son of Burton Stearns and Ina McKeen Stearns who died in 1956. His father, Burton, later married Helen Hastings who was an important person in Dean’s family life. He grew up in Lovell, and graduated from Fryeburg Academy in the class of 1958 where he later served as a trustee from 2000 to 2012. He went on to earn his degree from the University of Maine at Orono in 1962, laying the foundation for a long and accomplished professional career.

Dean spent over three decades working with New England Telephone Company and its successors NYNEX and Verizon. Throughout his tenure, he held many varied roles that reflected his adaptability and leadership. His career culminated as director and Maine State House lobbyist, a role through which he contributed meaningfully to the telecommunications industry and public policy in Maine.

Beyond his professional achievements, Dean was deeply committed to his faith. He served as a member, deacon, and board member of several Christian churches throughout his life. Most recently, he was an active part of the Lovell United Church of Christ. Dean was an involved community member serving on many groups including the Lovell Planning Board, Historical Society and the Brick Church preservation. He advocated for the town where he grew up, retired and carried on his family’s long heritage in Lovell.

After his career with the phone company, he was able to enjoy his retired life building a home on Kezar Lake in Lovell, back to his roots. He enjoyed working on the properties and the land in Lovell; working in the outdoors was a labor of love. He enjoyed spending long summer days at Kezar Lake and Heald Pond with all of the grandchildren, taking them to swim, tennis and golf lessons and enjoying boating, waterskiing and tubing.

Dean and Pat were able to travel extensively together including trips to Italy, Egypt, Hungary, Switzerland and England. For the past 27 years they have been spending most of March and April on Siesta Key, Sarasota, Fla. and visiting friends on the way down the Eastern seaboard. Every year children and grandchildren enjoyed visiting and spending most days at the pool and at the beach, making memories to last a lifetime.

At the heart of Dean’s life was his unwavering devotion to family. He shared 64 years of marriage with Pat Stearns, his beloved wife and life partner. Together they built a home filled with warmth and love. Dean is lovingly remembered by his sister, Nancy Pitman; daughter, Luana Stearns Towne and her husband Jon, daughter, Lesley; son, Jeffrey Stearns and his wife Carol; and grandchildren, Alyssa Towne and husband Brad Hodge, Emily Towne, Brian Stearns and wife Allison, Stephanie Stearns and partner Lexi Carlsen, David Stearns and Megan Stearns; and great-grandson, Greyson Hodge.

Dean’s legacy is one of steadfast commitment—to those he loved, to the communities he served, and to the values he held dear. May his memory bring comfort to all who knew him.

A memorial gathering will be held on Nov. 15, from 11 a.m. with reception following at Lovell United Church of Christ at 1174 Main St., Lovell, ME 04051.

Arrangements are under the care of Wood Funeral Home and Cremation Services 9 Warren St. Fryeburg, to make an online condolence please visit http://www.chandlerfunerals.com

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Lovell United Church of Christ, Mount Washington Valley Adult Day Center, or Andwell Hospice in memory of Dean Stearns.