The man who allegedly drowned over the holiday weekend was yesterday identified by family members as Ezra Dean. According to preliminary police reports, the drowning took place sometime around 4:40 p.m. on Friday at South Beach. Police reports indicate that Dean was swimming with family members when the accident occurred. Dean, who was in his 80s, was taken to hospital by emergency medical service personnel where he was pronounced dead. Dean is the choir director at new Destiny Baptist Church. He is survived by his wife Jacqueline Theresa and children Samuel, Sterling, Ezra Jr., Mark, Vernons, Portia Dean and Yvette Williams. A family friend described Dean as a "beautiful person". "He directed the choir and he was a real gentleman," said the friend who attends the same church as Dean.  He was in fine form.  His last project was to prepare the church choir for the Father's Day ensemble. It's a sad day."

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