Dean "Deany" Bandavanis

Dean "Deany" Bandavanis, 7, passed away peacefully at home, surrounded by the ones he loved the most, on December 3, 2018. Born, March 4, 2011 in Memphis, TN. Deany was a free spirit and an old soul. He was always happy, energetic, playful and always did things on his terms. In 2013, Deany and his family moved to Pickerington, OH, where he attended Sycamore Creek Elementary School. Deany was your typical happy, healthy little boy until March of 2017 when he was diagnosed with a rare form of childhood brain cancer, Diffuse Intrinsic Pontine Glioma (DIPG). There is no cure for this type of cancer. The average life expectancy from diagnosis is 9 months. Our little fighter fought so hard, involving himself in multiple treatments and clinical trials, both here in the US and outside of the country trying to overcome this beast, but it was too much. DIPG has every form of cancer all in one, and is the hardest cancer in the world to fight and to treat. Deany loved everything: Five Nights at Freddy’s, Bendy and the Ink Machine, and Cuphead. He loved to build everything from houses to cars out of boxes etc., everything was all his own. He was creative and always thought of everyone before himself. He always wanted to make sure everybody was happy and had what they needed. Deany is survived by his Dad and Mom, (Dean and Ashley); big brother, Keller; maternal Grandparents, Don and Debi Gregg of Ithaca, NY; Aunt, Loganne (Adam) Ray of Ithaca, NY; cousin, Emma; and his beloved dogs, Felecia, Benjii and Cuddles. Family and friends may visit 4-7:00pm on Thursday, December 6, at the DWAYNE R. SPENCE FUNERAL HOME, 550 Hill Rd. N., Pickerington, OH 43147. Funeral service and interment will take place at Bangs Funeral Home and Pleasant Grove Cemetery, Ithaca, NY, at a later date. In lieu of flowers, donations in Deany’s memory can be made for DIPG research at teambuddyforeverfoundation.org.