Obituary of Dean Heller

Dean Heller Dean George Constantine Heller, beloved son of the late George Heller (née Γεόργιος Χλεχλές of Νεοχόριον, Greece) and Helen Heller (née Ελένι Μαντζαγριοτάκης of Τρίπολις, Greece). Beloved brother of Jim, Jim's wife Jennifer and uncle of Daliah and Nicholas, was born on June 27, 1933 in Windsor, Ontario. Dean was a scholarship student and top athlete (football, track and field) in high school. He breezed through mathematics, physics and chemistry at the University of Toronto and received a full scholarship to pursue a doctorate in theoretical physics at the California Institute of Technology in 1956. He returned to Toronto that fall when his father passed away and completed his master's degree in physics at U of T in 1957. He then enrolled in the doctoral program in pure mathematics at the University of Chicago on full scholarship under the famous Canadian mathematician, Irving Kaplansky. He completed his PhD in 1966 and taught in several American (U. Chicago, Northwestern) and Canadian (Bishop's U) universities. At this point in his life, Dean began a gradual descent into mental illness. Neither the wonderful love, first of Lina and later of Julie could arrest his decline. He suffered what was characterized as a schizophrenic breakdown in the late seventies and lived thereafter in the family home with his mother. From high mental pursuits, he turned his attention to the compassionate support of his mother; and was largely responsible for her living independently in her home to the age of 98 and dying there peacefully in 2000. Dean continued to live at home until his health necessitated hospitalization last year. He passed away peacefully at the Leisureworld O'Connor Gate nursing home on Saturday, February 1, 2014. Our family is so very grateful for the compassionate care he received from everyone there, especially Letitia. Dean died as he had lived, like a warrior, without sedation, conscious to the end; and as a contemplative, hands folded in lap, eyes open, gazing intently at infinity. His family viewed Dean's crisis in life as noological in origin, not psychological. I Am Thou, Thou Art I, He Is Ours, We Both Are His, So May All Be For Our Neighbour. A funeral service will be held in ST. GEORGE'S GREEK ORTHODOX CHURCH, 115 Bond Street, Toronto on Friday, February 7 at 11:00 a.m. Interment to follow in Mount Pleasant Cemetery. Donations in his honour are invited to the University of Toronto or St. George's Greek Orthodox Church. Condolences and memories may be forwarded through www.humphreymiles.com. Κύριε ἐλέησον