Gareth Thomas Dean, the beloved son of Wendy and Richard Hernandez and devoted brother to Jonathan, Bronwen and Laura Hernandez and sister-in-law Alex Hernandez, died unexpectedly of a deep brain aneurism on 15 May 2022 shortly before 7:30 p.m. Gareth was 45 years old. He was a graduate of the Niceville High School Class of 1996, was a member of the NHS Cross-Country Team which went to State in 1995, and the NHS Track Team. After graduation he attended the University of Florida. While there he had two jobs in the restaurant industry culminating as a sous chef. Upon his return to Niceville he was employed by Old Navy and rose to the position of assistant manager of the Silver Sands store. He was interested in video games and most recently Korean television to the point that he was actually learning Korean. Gareth had an absolutely extraordinary work ethic. He was always up to any challenge, and when circumstances dictated a 12-hour work day was not unusual. He was always cool under pressure and never lost his sense of humor. He was dedicated to his cat Ibn, and to Felix, his shared cat with his sister Bronwen.
Gareth was born in Plymouth, England on 19 April 1977 and remained there until his move to Niceville in November 1986. He attended Plew Elementary, Ruckel Middle and Niceville High School. He became a United States citizen in 1998. Probably the most definitive hallmark of Gareth everyone who knew can testify to was his extraordinary love and dedication to coffee. As a lasting testament of the loving, caring and generous person he was, per his explicit wishes, he is an organ donor so that from his untimely death others might live. His sister Laura said that we will have to warn the recipients of his kidneys that they truly run on coffee!
A remembrance of Gareth’s life will take place in his parent’s home at 1104 Phyllis Ave on Saturday, 21 May 2022 at 2 to 7 p.m. All of his and his family’s friends are welcome to attend. Gareth will be missed by all who knew him…though he continually lives on in the hearts of his family. In lieu of flowers, please plant a tree in his honor. He planted three himself last month.
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