ROCKPORT — Jeffrey Neal Dean, 55, of Rockport, died June 4, 2014, at Waldo County Hospital after a courageous battle with kidney disease with his wife, Maureen, by his side. Born in Camden on Feb. 2, 1959, he was the son of Reginald and Thelma (Small) Dean. Jeff was a 1977 graduate of Camden-Rockport High School, where he played basketball and played the trumpet in the school band. He attended the University of Maine at Farmington and played soccer there.

At age 23, Jeff was diagnosed with chronic renal failure and underwent his first of three kidney transplants. Every health obstacle, Jeff accepted with determination and fortitude, inspiring many medical professionals over the years. His courage and strength demonstrated great inspiration to his family and friends. "Overcoming obstacles and exceeding expectations" was his legacy as he bravely lived his life in spite of his prosthetics and loss of vision.

On Sept. 18, 1993, he married Maureen Bailey in Camden.

Jeff's employment included building stone walls with his brother, Chris; and as a bartender at the Rockland Elks Lodge and Waterworks Restaurant in Rockland. He was an avid outdoorsman and loved to go hunting, riding his Harley Davidson, skiing and enjoyed reading war history books.

He was predeceased by his daughter, Amanda Sue Dean. Surviving is his wife, Maureen Dean of Rockport; his parents, Reginald and Thelma Dean of Camden; his stepchildren, Kathleen Beaulieu and Danielle Beaulieu; three brothers, Michael Dean and his companion, Chris McLarty, of Camden, Christopher Dean and his wife, Truc, of Gardiner, and Timothy Dean and his wife, Jane, of South Portland; Rhondalee Royce and her husband, Winston, of Sterling, Va.; several nieces and nephews; a sister-in-law, Rose Bailey; three brothers-in-law, John Bailey, Kevin Bailey and Norman Bailey. Jeff will be especially missed by his devoted canine companion, Bojangles, and his many close friends.

A memorial service will be held on Thursday, June 12, from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m. at The Rockland Elks Lodge on Rankin Street in Rockland. Interment will be private and held at the convenience of the family.

If desired, memorial gifts may be made in his memory to: Maine Kidney Foundation, 470 Forest Ave., Suite 302, Portland, ME 04101; Waldo County Home Health Care Hospice, 119 Northport Ave., Belfast, ME 04915; or Guiding Eyes for the Blind, 611 Granite Springs Road, Yorktown Heights, N.Y. 10598.

Arrangements are with the Long Funeral Home & Cremation Service.