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Brian Keith Dell, 62, of Jacobus, passed away on Jan. 28, 2021, in York, Pa.
He was the fiancee of Cynthia Mae (Stabley) Ferree with whom he shared his life in a very loving relationship for the last 13 1/2 years.
Born on July 9, 1958 in York, Pa., Brian was the son of the late Floyd O. Dell and Loretta J. (Day) Dell.
Brian graduated from York County Vocational Technical School in 1976 and went on to earn a Bachelor of Science Degree in Vocational Industrial Education from Pennsylvania State University in 1983. Proud to achieve and earn his degree, he returned to York Co. Vo-Tech where he began his industrial education career teaching wood shop; a job he truly loved and enjoyed.
Brian was an active volunteer member of his communities, beginning as a Junior Firefighter at Glen Rock Hose and Ladder, Station #59 in Glen Rock and continuing on as an active adult firefighter at Station #59 and later at Station #18 in Jacobus. He served the community of Jacobus as a Borough Councilman for 23 years until his death, and in between those years, as tax collector for four years. Over the years, he assisted in the planning and organization of many community events, and as borough councilman volunteered much of his own time and energy outside of the council meetings to provide services and maintenance and address matters-at-hand, all for the good of the borough.
Brian was also a member of the Izaac Walton League of America, York Chapter #67, Sugar Valley Community Volunteer Fire Co. Social Club in Loganton and a life member of the NRA. He was also a former member of the Jacobus Lions Club.
As a child, Brian attended Zion Lutheran Church in Glen Rock and as a young adult served on church council. For a number of years later, he attended Salem UCC Church in Jacobus where he served on the church consistory. He later returned to, and attended, his home church for the rest of his adult life.
A member of B.S.A. Troop #48 in Glen Rock, Brian was proud to achieve and receive his Eagle Scout Award on Sept. 12, 1976. He later became involved with B.S.A. Troop #69 in Jacobus, serving as scouting assistant. During his scouting years he enjoyed the opportunity as a teenager to go to Philmont Scout Ranch in Cimarron, New Mexico and was able to join his son, Joe, on the Philmont Trek again in 2004. He forever treasured these memories and the time he spent with his son, and held them very close to his heart. Another very proud moment in his life was to see his son achieve and receive his Eagle Scout award in 2005.
Brian's favorite activities were woodworking, visiting friends and family, and from childhood on, until his health no longer allowed it, enjoying the great outdoors, such as hiking, canoeing, camping, hunting, visiting state parks, watching for wildlife, and just taking long rides on the dirt roads through the mountains of the PA Wilds. Brian was a second generation Director of Glen Yore Hunting Camp, founded in the early 1960s by his grandfather Kenneth "Hicky" Day and other men from Glen Rock.
He and Cynthia shared a love of the mountains and enjoyed visiting the camp and friends in the Sugar, Nippenose and Pine Creek valleys as often as possible. Brian always said, "it's always a good day at camp even when it's raining." During their visits, to the hunting camp they always took time to worship on Sundays with their friends at St. James Lutheran Church in Jersey Shore and sometimes worship at Zion Lutheran Church Renovo to hear the ministry of their favorite Vicar and friend, Dutch Rinker.
In addition to his fiancee, Cynthia, Brian is survived by his son, Joseph M. Dell and wife, Casey L., and his grandson, Andrew Vincent Dell, and his daughter, Jenna M. Dell. He is also survived by a stepdaughter, Robin A. (Ferree) Thomas, and husband, Michael, and stepgrandsons, Bryce Kenneth and Dylan Michael Thomas; a sister, Lori A. Harman and husband, Steve of Tawneytown, Md., and several nieces, nephews, cousins, aunts and uncles.
A public viewing will be held on Monday, Feb. 8, 2021, from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. at Geiple-Predicce Funeral and Cremation Services, Inc. in Glen Rock and will be followed by cremation. A memorial and celebratory service for extended family and friends will be held at a later date still to be determined.
Memorial donations can be made in Brian's name to Geisinger Health Foundation, MC40-36, 100 N. Academy Avenue, Danville, PA 17822 (Memo/Note: Life Flight or Cardio) or online at: geisinger.org/foundation, or to New Birth of Freedom Council, BSA, 1 Baden Powell Lane, Mechanicsburg, PA 17050-2344 (Memo/Note: B.S.A. Troop #69, Jacobus).
Geiple-Predicce Funeral Home, 53 N. Main St., Glen Rock PA, 17327, is assisting with the arrangements and condolences may be shared at geiple.com