A life well lived is a precious gift

Of hope and strength and grace,

From someone who has made our world

A brighter, better place

GLENS FALLS | H. Dean Nordquist passed from this life Thursday, Aug. 27, 2015, (Horseshoe Night at Moreau Lake State Park) at age 86, and joined his wife of 63 years, Erma L Nordquist.

Dean lived his life to the fullest. In high school, he lettered in every sport he played; he was a Korean War veteran; he had 35 years of service to Niagara Mohawk Power Co.; and was repeat senior games gold medalist in horseshoes and basketball.

During early adulthood, Dean was an active amateur archaeologist, "hunting" arrowheads and native artifacts in the fields and along the riverbanks of the North Country. His wife, Erma, never seemed to know quite where Dean was — whether he was fishing, collecting cans and discarded rotors for extra money to invest or silverware for his wind chimes, which he put together and sold for years in various tourist venues in Vermont and near Lake George.

When not involved in one of those activities, he could be found at one of his favorite haunts — having coffee with Joe or Frank at McDonald's or eating a baked potato and salad at Wendy's.

Dean retired at age 55 and had more than 30 years of free time to do exactly as he pleased.

Dean was a devoted father and grandfather, as his oldest granddaughter, Cory (Todd) Marchesiello, so lovingly described in her final words to him:

Dear Grandpa,

Thank you for all the wonderful memories I have of us. I wanted to write some of them down to share with you all of the times I've had with you that I hold close to my heart.
•playing endless hours of rummy, cribbage and monopoly
•going fishing and catching sunfish in your spot that never disappointed
•seeing you at the Y playing basketball every time I was there with my friends
•you and Grandma recorded every Chicago Bulls game for me so when I would get home to your house at night I could watch them
•you sitting in the stands at every one of my basketball and volleyball games from middle school through college
•digging clams in Maine
•eating your various sandwich creations such as the one made up of Miracle Whip, lettuce and peanut butter
•swinging on the swing you built me and climbing the apple tree at your house
•the loudest snoring I've ever heard
•all of your various gadgets and inventions over the years (hat with the flipdown sunglasses was my favorite)
•always feeling loved and welcomed at your home, thank you for letting me stay there for nights/weeks/years and never feel like I was a chore when I'm sure many times I was

You were the perfect grandpa.

Dean is survived by his children, Susan (Michael) Nordquist and Carol Montanye, who both took wonderful care of him during the past year and a half, Kathy Todd and Peter (Ikuko) Nordquist; grandchildren, C. Christine (Dominick) Marchesiello, Alex Todd, Sarah Nordquist, Won Suh Nordquist, Sun Yeh Nordquist, Joseph Montanye, Laura Montanye, Maria Montanye and Jesse Montanye; and great-grandchildren, Juliana and Bianca Marchesiello, Orion Havens and Oliver Todd.

A celebration of life ceremony will be held at 3 p.m. Oct. 19 at Saratoga National Cemetery when he and Erma will be placed together in their final resting place. All are welcome.

Condolences and floral arrangements may be sent directly to Baker Funeral Home, 11 Lafayette St., Queensbury, NY 12804, or through www.bakerfuneralhome.com.