Albany –
Dale Thomas Wein, 78, passed away Sunday, November 27, 2022. Dale was the son of the late Hans and Alice Wein, and devoted husband to Beth Maynard Wein. Set up on a blind date, they were married for 50 years.
Dale loved the outdoors and was an avid hunter and fisherman. He worked for Niagara Mohawk for more than 35 years, starting as janitor, and eventually following rivers throughout NY to become one of only a few supervisors of the hydroelectric division of the company in the state. Skilled with woodworking and machinery-always learning-he reveled both in outdoor projects and being surrounded by his animals, from the first horse he purchased at age 9 and rode to school, to his adopted senior dog in his late 70s, with countless dogs, cats, cows and pigs* in between.
Mostly introverted by nature, Dale was known for being quick to smile or crack a joke to put strangers and friends alike at ease, making other people feel welcome, comfortable, seen and safe. Not a man of multiple personas, if loved by him, you were family; if family, you were adored, privy to generosity and his wandering, circuitous, nesting doll-style stories more important for the journey they took-including apologies for tangents-than for the actual moral.** On occasion, he made himself laugh too hard to ever reach their conclusion. He was a solid, mischievous, reflective presence in so many lives, a second dad to many, a deeply loyal friend; his absence is already keenly felt.
Dale was a model for deep reflection, admirable revising his assumptions, always considering how to be a better, more compassionate, more loving and learned person. We will continue to parse the ways he shaped our lives for years to come, and we will miss and love him always.
Dale is survived by his loving wife, Beth; daughter, Alicia Maud Wein (Matthew Weston); son, Zachary Dale Wein (Emily Holman Wein) and grandchildren, Paden, Wyatt and Alice Wein; his Katie-Kate Pearson; sisters, Kathleen Tesman (Fred) and Linda Kerber; dozens of loving nieces and nephews. His long and mutually generous partnership with Beth, filled with humor and love, was aspirational for many; he was proud of his kids and grandkids, from their chosen professions to warm partnerships, and most of all, their kindness and service to others.
As per Dale's wishes, there will be no services held at this time.
* for lassoing and saddling only. Never for rent.
** for brevity and clarity's sake, Dale's original songs omitted.
In lieu of flowers, the family request that donations be made to Crazy Paws Rescue (https://crazypawsdogrescue.com/), who brought him both his beloved Buddy and Lurleen.