Obituaries

Harry Dewey, Worcester legal and civic luminary, dies at 99

  • Posted by Obituaries October 24, 2023 - Filed in News - #Worcester  #Worcester Historical Museum  #Harry Dewey  #Bowditch & Dewey  #Worcester Art Museum  #Music Worcester  #Greater Worcester Community Foundation  #Higgins Armory Museum  #Worcester Tennis Club  - 7,439 views

    Harry Dewey (Callahan Fay Caswell Funeral Home) 

    WORCESTER – Henry B. Dewey, a legal legend and stalwart of Worcester’s civic and cultural scene, passed away at his Worcester residence on October 23, 2023, at the age of 99.

    Born and raised in Worcester, Henry, better known to friends and colleagues as "Harry", was the son of Francis H. and Dorothy (Bowen) Dewey, according to a tribute on the Callahan Fay & Caswell funeral home website. 

    He is survived by his beloved wife of 70 years, Jane (Kenah) Dewey; three daughters: Janie Dewey, Ann Hofmann, and Sally Dewey Jensen; as well as a rich tapestry of grandchildren and great-grandchildren. His brother, Francis H. "Chuck" Dewey, and two sisters, Elizabeth Marangoni and Dorothy Gilman, predeceased him.

    Dewey's esteemed legal career took flight after he received his education from Deerfield Academy, Williams College, and the Boston University School of Law. When he retired in 1994, he held the distinguished position of senior partner at Bowditch & Dewey, a law firm he dedicated forty-two years of his life to.

    But Dewey's legacy extends beyond the courtroom. As an impassioned patron of the arts and culture, he helmed several of Worcester's premier cultural institutions, from the Worcester Art Museum to the Worcester County Musical Association (now Music Worcester). His dedication earned him numerous accolades, including the Arts Worcester annual award and the Isaiah Thomas award for "distinguished community service."

    Dewey also served on myriad boards, such as the Worcester Historical Museum and Higgins Armory Museum. But he often cited his role as a founding member of the Greater Worcester Community Foundation as his crowning achievement in his storied legal career.

    His passions extended to sports; as a tennis aficionado, he relished his membership—and eventual presidency—at the Worcester Tennis Club.

    In the tapestry of his life, Dewey's valor during World War II shines brightly. Despite initial rejections from multiple military branches due to his eyesight, he bravely served in the European Theatre as a forward observer. His gallantry during key battles like the Battle of the Bulge and the crossing of the Rhine over the Remagen Bridge earned him multiple commendations, including the Bronze Star Medal. Additionally, the Belgian government honored his service with a fourragère.

    While funeral services will remain private, Dewey will be laid to rest in Rural Cemetery, his gravestone bearing a tribute to his ancestor, the renowned “Thistle Carver of Tatnuck,” William Young. The family has requested that in lieu of flowers, contributions be made to the Greater Worcester Community Foundation in Dewey's memory.

    Henry B. Dewey's indelible mark on Worcester's legal, cultural, and civic spheres ensures his legacy will reverberate for generations to come.

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