Blane K. Dessy

Blane Dessy, 74, of Erie, Pennsylvania, passed away on March 14, 2026. A well-read and well-loved man, he lived the life of a librarian—organized, efficient, and deeply committed to curating voices and art. Born in Pittsburgh to Rita Keenan Dessy, whom he dearly loved, he earned a Bachelor’s in English from Indiana University of Pennsylvania and a Master’s in Library Science from the University of Pittsburgh. He went on to build libraries and the communities around them at local, state, and federal levels across Pennsylvania, Ohio, Oklahoma, Alabama, and Washington, D.C. He served as Director of Federal Enterprises with the Library of Congress, Director of Libraries for the Department of Justice, and Founding Director of the National Library of Education. In 2018, he returned to Pennsylvania, where his life came full circle, serving as Director of the Erie County Public Library after beginning his career at the Juniata County Library.

Blane was a tireless advocate for writers and artists. He launched NWPA Poetry, commissioned an annual Anthology of Erie Poets, and worked closely with the Rotary, Erie Arts and Culture, the Erie Community Foundation, and others to elevate local art and literature. He taught Library Science at the Catholic University of America and became the first employee and founding member of the Erie County Community College. He remained deeply connected to his alma mater, serving as a founder and advisor for the Dessy-Roffman Myth Collaborative at IUP. His curatorial spirit led him to create a Bibliography of Erie Literature and amass extensive collections of books, chapbooks, and signed works from around the world. He had a particular love for pop culture, from Star Trek and Doctor Who to MTV, and an eclectic music collection that included Steely Dan and Shakira.

He is survived by his husband, Randal Eric Shannon; his daughter, Adrienne Burke; his brothers, Tom and Kevin; and the many arts and literary communities he helped nurture. His kindness, dry wit, and rhythmic benevolence touched everyone he met, from the care he gave his cats, Tigger and Boo Boo Kitty, to the thoughtful conversations he shared until his final breath. Those who knew him will remember him best through their last interaction with him, as he requested.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Foundation for Indiana University of Pennsylvania, the Erie Community Foundation, or the Sarah A. Reed Children’s Center.