Obituary of Harrison Coffman Deal

Harrison Coffman Deal June 4, 1910 – August 14, 2006 Harrison C. Deal of Pomfret died Monday August 14, 2006 at his home. Mr. Deal was born in Minneapolis, Minnesota on June 4, 1910, the son of the late Gertrude (Coffman) and Harrison H. Deal. He graduated from Minneapolis public schools and attended the University of Minnesota and the University of Pittsburg. A resident of Pomfret since the early 1950's, Mr. Deal was president of the Ivy Printers Company of Moosup and Wauregan until his retirement in 1974. The company produced fine hand-printed wallpaper, including reproductions and custom designs by Mr. Deal's sister Margaret, who collaborated with him in the business. After his retirement, he led an active life, traveling extensively with his wife and maintaining his interest in the Colonial Williamsburg Foundation and the Minneapolis Museum of Art. He served on the Board of Directors of the Day Kimball Hospital in Putnam from 1969 until 1982; he was President of the Hospital's Board of Trustees from 1975 until 1982 and was made an honorary Board member in 1982. Mr. Deal was a benefactor of the Rectory School, his immediate neighbor in Pomfret, receiving its Lifetime Achievement Award in 1999. He was a member of Christ Church in Pomfret for over 50 years. Mr. Deal's first marriage, to Martha M. Swanson, ended in divorce. In 1954 he was married to Daire Van Battenburg Driscoll, who died in 1992. His sisters Margaret Deal of Pomfret, Helen Blodget, also of Pomfret, and Mary Selcer predeceased him. Mr. Deal is survived by a daughter from his first marriage, Leigh Fabens, (Mrs. Andrew L. III) of Cleveland Ohio; grandchildren Andrew L. Fabens IV and wife Nicola of New York City and Jennie F. Kaffen (Mrs. Jonathan) of Cleveland; and great-grandchildren Alicia and Joseph Kaffen and Peter and Malcolm Fabens. In addition he is survived by nieces Joy Driscoll Antonelli and her daughter, Susan Messina, of Palm Harbor, Florida; Edith (Dede) Swain Bullock of Orrington, Maine and Susan Swain Tabor of Foster, RI and nephew Leonard Swain of Sarasota, Florida. His dear friend, Evelyn Seaton Treiber of Central Village also survives him. A Memorial service will be held August 26th (Saturday) at 3:00 PM at Christ Episcopal Church, Pomfret. Interment will be private. In Lieu of Flowers, contributions in his name may be made to the Day Kimball HomeMakers, PO Box 632, Putnam, CT 06260 or Christ Church, PO Box 21, Pomfret, CT 06258. To share a memory with his family “Light a Candle” at www.smithandwalkerfh.com. The Smith & Walker Funeral Home, 148 Grove Street, Putnam is directing arrangements.