Dean Allan Nightingale

Dean Allan Nightingale, 82, passed away with his children by his side on Tuesday, March 5, 2024 at Guthrie Robert Packer Hospital in Sayre, PA. Mr. Nightingale was born to Paul Arthur and Bernice Roberta (Hilbert) Nightingale on October 31, 1941 in Corning, Kansas. The family later moved to Oklahoma and then Council Bluffs, Iowa where he graduated from Abraham Lincoln High School and met his wife, Jackie.

Immediately after graduation, Dean enlisted in the US Navy where he served as a Boiler Technician for 7 years and rose to the rank of Petty Officer Second Class. During his time in the Navy, he was stationed aboard the USS Twining, USS King (Plank Owner), and USS Johnston. In1966, the Johnston’s crew assisted in fighting a fire at the Myrtle Bank Hotel in Kingston, Jamaica which, according to a Letter of Commendation for the crew, resulted in “saving the entire Kingston waterfront.” This marked the beginning of a firefighting passion.

While stationed in Charleston, SC, Dean and Jackie started their family raising two children, Danny Wayne (Dan) and Dena Marie. Following Dean’s medical discharge from the Navy, they remained in Goose Creek, SC where he took over management of the newest franchise of Interstate gas stations. At the same time, he began a new family legacy as a volunteer fire fighter with Goose Creek Rural Fire Department and was later promoted to Assistant Chief. This legacy lives on in his daughter, Dena, and grandsons, Christopher and Matthew. His legacy with the Navy lived on through his son, Dan and grandson, Matthew.

In 1972, Dean and Jackie moved their family to Maryland where he worked with his father at Blake Construction Company. Beginning as a laborer, he eventually perfected his craft as a finish carpenter. Their first project together was building an expansion of Harry Diamond Laboratories.  One of the projects his children remember him working on is building the DC 101 radio studios.

Dean enjoyed helping his parents as they aged and visited weekly. He visited his parents after they moved to Sherwood, Oregon and fell in love with the beauty of the mountains. Following his divorce and his father’s death in 1984, Dean moved to Sherwood to help his mother. Over the next 10 years, he enjoyed numerous occupations including operating a lumber mill, dealing blackjack in a casino, and driving a tractor trailer. Throughout his life, the ocean continued to call him and his love of the sea finally won over when he purchased a deep sea fishing boat.

After his Forrest Gump excursion, he was finally convinced to move back to the East Coast to be closer to his children and grandchildren. He first returned to Maryland and two years later moved to upstate New York where he lived for the last 20 years.

Dean had an enormous love of hunting, fishing, and shooting sports. He was a member of Corning Fish & Game in NY where he eventually served as the President. He was also a member of American Legion Post 56 for 36 years.

Dean’s service to his nation would eventually lead to his diagnoses of Asbestosis and Mesothelioma. He fought a hard battle and continued to do the things he loved for many years even though it meant he had to carry oxygen with him. His stubborn and strong spirit (hard-headedness) led him to defy doctors’ prognoses, but he finally succumbed early in the morning on March 5, 2024.

Dean was preceded in death by his parents, brother Quentin Paul Nightingale, sister-in-law Carol Sue (Mitchell) Nightingale. He leaves behind his two children, daughter-in-law Kimberly (Tinker) Nightingale, five grandchildren (Christopher and wife April, Matthew Staley, Samantha Staley, Benjamin Nightingale, Mikaela Nightingale), six great-grandchildren (Kelsi Staley, Savannah Safran, Aubree Staley, Brynn Staley, Cash Staley, Aspyn Jenkins), siblings Robert Nightingale and Meridith Nightingale as well as numerous nieces, nephews, and close friends.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to Wounded Warrior Project https://support.woundedwarriorproject.org/

Arrangements are being handled by Acly-Stover Funeral Home, 327 E 2nd Street, Corning, NY 14830

Calling hours are Friday, March 8, 2024  9:00am-11:00am with a service immediately following at the funeral home. A Military Service will be held at Bath National Cemetery at San Juan Avenue, Bath, NY 14810 immediately following the service at the funeral home. A reception will follow at 55+ Connect, 110 Creekside Drive, Painted Post, NY in the community room.

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