Write a commentErwin G. “Jeep” Dewey Jr., 87 years old, passed away on Monday, November 10, 2025, surrounded by his family at the Upstate Medical Center in Syracuse, NY.
Jeep was born in 1938 and was a native of Oswego for his entire life. Jeep was the son of the late Erwin and Alice (Ferris) Dewey.
Jeep graduated from Oswego High School and earned a bachelor’s degree in physical education from Brockport State University. After college, he was hired as a physical education teacher in the Oswego City School District, where he taught for 35 years. One of his true passions was coaching. Jeep spent over 30 years roaming the sidelines of Joe Wilbur Field wearing Buccaneer Blue with pride. He also spent over 50 years coaching indoor, and outdoor, boys track and field. In 2008, the school district honored his career by naming the athletic complex at the Oswego Middle School the “Erwin “Jeep” Dewey Athletic Complex. In 2012, he was inducted into the Oswego High School Hall of Fame.
Jeep was an avid golfer, to say the least. No matter the weather, you could find him roaming the fairways, most of the time, of the Oswego Country Club. He was proud to say that he had 6 holes in one to his credit. Jeep served the country club as a volunteer in many ways, including serving multiple terms as club president. In his later years, there was nothing he loved more than spending time with his grandchildren and following their athletic careers.
Jeep is survived by his loving wife of 63 years Kathleen (Hermans) Dewey, his daughters Jennifer of Fulton, Melissa (Patrick) Purtell of Minetto, Allison (David) Stevenson of Oswego, and his sons Kevin and Jeffrey of Oswego. He also leaves behind 5 grandchildren, Rachael Purtell of Washington DC, Jason Purtell of Oswego, Jackson Dewey of Oswego, Nicholas Dewey of Oswego and Emma Stevenson of Oswego, and several nieces and nephews.
He was predeceased by his sister Susie Schoonmaker.
Calling hours will be held Friday, November 14, 2025 at Dain-Cullinan Funeral Home at 112 East 2nd Street, Oswego, NY from 3:00-7:00.
A funeral mass will be held Saturday at noon, at Christ the Good Shepherd Parish, located at 50 East Mohawk Street, Oswego, NY.
There will be a Celebration of Life on Sunday the 16th from 11:00-3:00 at the Oswego Country Club, located at 610 West First Street, Oswego, NY.
In lieu of flowers, we ask that donations be made to the Erwin “Jeep” Scholarship Fund and checks be mailed to Kevin Dewey at 403 West Fifth Street, Oswego, NY 13126.
Arrangements are in the care of the Dain-Cullinan Funeral Home.
