Friends, neighbors celebrate Greeley man's 100th birthday with drive-by

Apr. 27--Norm Dean's 100th birthday didn't include the traditional room packed full of familiar faces singing "Happy Birthday" before sharing a birthday cake, but his wife still made it a special day with a little help from her friends.

Sunday afternoon, dozens of vehicles lined up outside Norm and Bonnie Dean's home in Greeley to wish Norm a happy birthday. Drive-by celebrations have become a popular way to celebrate events that would normally fill rooms in a way that's no longer safe due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Norm Dean, a World War II Navy veteran, came to Greeley in 1946. He owned a bank that he later sold to a holding company, going on to supervise banks within that company. Among the many important roles he's filled in his time as a Greeley resident is president for Weld County Saving Bank. He said the drive-by celebration was a total surprise.

"It reaffirmed my belief that this is a wonderful community in which to live," he said. "It's full of people who support the community, support activities -- and they are good friends."

Bonnie Dean said she got started on organizing the celebration about a week ago, with a few close friends helping reach others in their network. Many held signs, took photos and recorded videos of the celebration across the street from the Deans' residence. One man gathered birthday cards and gifts to drop off at the Deans' front steps.

Norm Dean said he's had a wonderful birthday, including calls with family members and a video conference call with family members from Spain, New York City, England and all across the U.S.

"I couldn't believe it," he said. "I'm old enough that this is a marvel to me: to be able to sit and talk to members of my family all over the world and see them"

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A car filled with U.S. flags has a sign taped to the side reading, "Here's to Norm soaring high at 100." (Trevor Reid/treid@greeleytribune.com)

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A man and a woman hold signs wishing Norm Dean a happy birthday as dozens of vehicles pass his Greeley home for a drive-by birthday celebration. (Trevor Reid/treid@greeleytribune.com)

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Brightly colored cars pass by Norm Dean's home in Greeley on Sunday for a birthday celebration. (Trevor Reid/treid@greeleytribune.com)

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People gather across the street from Norm Dean's residence, practicing distancing, as others drive by to wish him a happy birthday. (Trevor Reid/treid@greeleytribune.com)

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Norm and Bonnie Dean wave and smile as friends drive past to wish Norm a happy birthday. (Trevor Reid/treid@greeleytribune.com)

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Norm and Bonnie Dean give a thumbs-up and laugh as friends drive past to wish Norm a happy birthday. (Trevor Reid/treid@greeleytribune.com)

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Despite the high-ranking positions Norm Dean has held in his time as a Greeley resident, he said he was humbled to see all the people who drove by Sunday.

"I'm looking forward to 105," he said.

-- Trevor Reid covers public safety issues for the Greeley Tribune. Connect with Trevor at (970) 392-4492, treid@greeleytribune.com or on Twitter, @treid71.

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