November 2005

Dear Deana,

Hi just writing to thank you and John for making our visit to Steubenville best vacation ever. You and John are a lovely couple and it was a thrill and pleasure to meet you. I will treasure the book you signed and thank you for the cards you signed with Mario to give me. It was also great to be able to sing a couple of you're dads song at the 909. I hope you come to a town near us later this year on you're book signing tour it would be great to see you both, failing that we hope to return for next years festival.

God bless you both,
Bill, Celia and Maureen

Hi Bill, Celia and Marueen,

It's great to hear from you and it was wonderful meeting you. You helped to make the festival a a wonderful event. The book tour starts in November and I hope to see all of you then. Keep singing.

Deana

Hello Deana,

How are you doing?
Hoping Mr. Garrison's death wont mean there aren't any more of those DVDs of the show coming out! They were pretty great!
Still, I'd miss his warm, loving commentary!

By the way, Regis said - ON JUNE 17th - That is was Dean's birthday! You MUST get him back for this!! Be unmerciful!!

Hope things are going well and you had a great time in Steubenville. Friends say you were great and they had a wonderful time there!!

Best,
kimmmy

Hi Deana,

I'm still mesmerized by the absolute smoothness that was Dean. I don't need to tell you that he was the consummate performer. I still can't get enough of him on CD's, movies, or T.V. He pretty much gave us (anybody who thinks they can sing) all a template on how to conduct ourselves no matter the situation and I honestly feel like I knew him. That's the genius I'm guessing...Either way, so glad that you're keeping the flame alive. My question to you is this: I know that Dean's entombed in a mausoleum nearby Marilyn Monroe's crypt. But I was wondering, did he ever think he would be placed there and what do you think of Hugh Hefner's recent bid to be memorialized there as well? Was this something that he ever talked about, (I'm sure it would've been in jest either way, so I feel somewhat comfortable in talking about it to you...) or was this just something that occurred without much consideration? I did however think that the inscription "You're nobody till somebody loves you" was somewhat apropos. Was that his wish as well, or did he want to do something along those lines because it was such a big seller?

I still say that there is a dearth of talent since your father left us and am more than thankful that we still have so many things to remind us of his myriad talents. I will always treasure his contributions and still miss his every note, line, quip and humorous aside. You know, his was a smile that was so genuine it should be listed as "sincere" in the dictionary.

Although I know it was and remains somewhat of an emotional burden to you in some way, I just wanted you to know that I can honestly say that all of Dean's fans, to a person I'm sure, would probably say:

"Thanks again for sharing your father with us, then and now, both you and he will always be appreciated for not only his time spent with us, but for your sacrifice as well."

"How I love to hear the choir..."
Now he's with 'em and most of them are probably pissed because his singing is so effortless and his robe and wings are so damn stylish.... God bless him.

Thanks for your time,
W. J. (Billy) Wright

Hi Billy,

Yes, it was dad's wishes to be buried at Pierce Brothers in Westwood, CA. My Grandparents , Guy and Angela are also there. As for Dad's inscription, it was my suggestion that we use "Everybody Loves Somebody Sometime." And thank you Billy for the kind thoughts.

Deana

Deana/Dina/Deeeana,
(Just a joke)
I have always wondered was your dad right handed or left handed? And I also just wanted to say I have read every book on your dad and I love the way he sings not just to sound like everyone else who loves him but he was the KING OF COOL, I guess I was just born too late. People call me an old soul because I love singers like your dad, Frank Sinatra, Bing Crosby, Perry Como, Nat King Cole and all the crooners of that time. I love Martin and Lewis!! I am only 14 yrs old, I really do wish I had a chance to see him and/or the Rat Pack perform. I also wonder if it is possible to get autographs from both Jerry Lewis and yourself?

All the best,
Alex

Hi Alex,

My father was right handed.

Deana

Deana,

I do not really have a question. I just wanted to say how thrilled I am that you wrote a book. I ordered it through Amazon. I can't wait to read it. Growing up I got every magazine that featured your family. I also purchased Riccis' book.

Janine

Dear Deana,

This is not really a question but I just wanted you to know that I had a very BAD childhood and I really got into Frank and your father when I was about 8yrs old. I am 27 now and my kids really enjoy your father. I have a 4yrs old who since he was 1 and a half he had thought he is "Dean Martin" because he knows EVERY Frank, Dean, Rat Pack song there is. He watches all the movies he can. On your dad's birthday he didn't do Anything until all of your dad's movies where off of the TV. Well I hope you have a Great Day.

Thank you for your time.
Aimee

Hi Deana,

I hope if you were going to come to Illinois, I'm not too late in writing. I live in the Chicagoland area. Bloomingdale to be exact. Will you be touring in or around Chicagoland? Thank you so much for taking the time to write me back, I know you must be very busy.

Sincerely,
Brenda

Hello Brenda,

Yes, I will be returning to the Chicagoland area by the first of the year. Hope to see you then.

Deana

Hello Deana,

I had the pleasure of meeting you in Steubenville at Naples Restaurant. Thank you for signing the menu! My question is what was the name of the club in Steubenville your grandfather Guy was a member of? My great uncle was also a member and I can't remember the name.

Thanks,
Pete

Hi Pete,

Theta Chi Alpha is the name of the Italian men's club and it still exists today. My grandfather Guy and my father were both members. My father's friends Mindy Costanza and Mario Camerlengo are still prominent members today.

Deana

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