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A special ceremony took place on Saturday, Dec.19, co-designating the portion of SW 78th Place between 152nd and 156th streets as “Dean Carr Place,” in honor of Dean Alexander Carr.
Attending the ceremony were Dean’s parents, Alex and Ana-Mari Carr; Palmetto Bay Mayor Karyn Cunningham, and members of the village council.
Dean Alexander Carr was diagnosed with a high grade malignant glioma brain tumor at age 3 in November 2018. Dean underwent chemotherapy and proton radiation, but the disease progressed quickly and he passed away 10 months later on Sept. 5, 2019. Dean was well known in his neighborhood from the time he was born. He even was named the “Mayor” of his street by his neighbors.
On Oct. 5, 2020, the Village of Palmetto Bay’s mayor and council approved, via Resolution No. 2020-91, co-designation of the street in his honor.
Dean’s parents had established a foundation, “Dean’s Dream Foundation Inc.” to raise money for pediatric cancer research. In addition — through the support of friends, neighbors and St. Louis Catholic Church, where Dean attended — a movement called “Dean’s Army” was born. T-shirts with “The Dean Code,” meaning “to love everyone with a pure heart” which is Dean’s legacy, were made and are being sold to raise money for the foundation.
The street naming ceremony took place at 11 a.m., with remarks by Mayor Karyn Cunningham and an introduction of the village council, remarks by family members and friends, followed by the street sign unveiling.
“What an honor it was to be able to co-designate 78th Place in the name of little Dean Carr,” Mayor Cunningham said. “Dean’s short four years left a legacy that is truly the fabric of all that is good and kind in our beautiful Palmetto Bay. He brought people together and loved them unconditionally.”
Dean’s mom was grateful for what the village did to honor her son.
“My family and I are deeply honored and touched to have our street named after our son,” Ana-Mari Carr said. “To see the impact that Dean made on the lives of so many in our community in his short years of life is the biggest positive that has resulted from this tragedy. We are immensely grateful to the Village of Palmetto Bay for this gesture and vow to fight for other children suffering from cancer through the foundation we created, called Dean’s Dream Foundation.”
