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Old Chester, PA: Obituaries:
David W. Deakyne

Philadelphia Inquirer, The (PA)
April 24, 1988
Section: NEIGHBORS DELAWARE
Edition: PENNA
Page: D12
Memo:OBITUARIES

D. DEAKYNE

David W. Deakyne, 57, a former member of the Wallingford-Swarthmore school board, died Monday at his home.

Born in Chester, Mr. Deakyne was the son of the late Harry C. and Ethel C. Deakyne. His family owned a wholesale candy-manufacturing business there. Mr. Deakyne was a member of the Wallingford-Swarthmore school board from 1973 to 1985 and served as its president from 1975 to 1977.

In 1986, Mr. Deakyne received the Wallingford-Swarthmore Service Award in recognition of his contributions to the school district, in particular helping with the consolidation of the district's former two high schools into Strath Haven High School.

"He was always committed to public education and cared a great deal about the students," schools Superintendent George Slick said. "He was always supportive of efforts to improve the schools."

Mr. Deakyne was respected by his peers on the board and in the community, Slick said.

During his tenure, Mr. Deakyne spearheaded efforts to bring sound management principles to the operation of the school district.

While on the board, he served on the facilities committee, chaired the finance committee and represented the district on the board of the Delaware County Intermediate Unit.

A graduate of Chester High School, Mr. Deakyne received his bachelor's degree from the University of Pennsylvania and earned a master's degree from the Wharton School there. He served in the Navy during the Korean War.

Mr. Deakyne was a technical representative and salesman in the Broomall office of Lincoln Electric for about 18 years. He served on the board of directors of the American Welding Society.

In recent years, he built experimental aircraft and had been president of the Valley Forge chapter of the Experimental Aircraft Association since 1985.

A resident of Wallingford for about 25 years, Mr. Deakyne was a member of Trinity Episcopal Church in Swarthmore.

He also enjoyed sailing and had a summer residence in Harvey Cedars, N.J., for the last 29 years.

He was the father of the late Thomas James Deakyne, who died in 1969.

He is survived by his wife, Sally Deakyne; two sons, David J. Deakyne and Terrance Deakyne; two daughters, Sarah Burke and Margaret Mealy; a sister, Clare Higginson, and two grandchildren.

The funeral took place Thursday at Trinity Church in Swarthmore. Interment was private.

Funeral arrangements were made by the Brower Funeral Home in Chester.

Thanks to Sadiebkjr@aol.com for sharing her father's obituary.

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