EAST NORTHPORT, N.Y. — It is with great sadness that we note the passing of Dean F. Failey, who died suddenly on May 19. Failey, who was 67, over many years inspired the affection, admiration and trust of his colleagues in the antiques field. Humor, warmth and an abiding love for the American arts took Failey, vice president of the Decorative Arts Trust and the 2007 winner of the ADA Award of Merit, from his student days at Winterthur to curatorial positions at Bayou Bend and the Society for the Preservation of Long Island Antiquities. He joined Christie’s in 1979, not long after it established a New York presence and remained a consultant to the Rockefeller Plaza powerhouse until his death. Failey’s jovial presence will be missed as the American art sales get underway this week. Visitation is Wednesday, 7 to 9 pm; and Thursday, 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 at the Brueggemann Funeral Home, 522 Larkfield Road, East Northport, N.Y. A service is planned for Friday, May 22, at 11 am at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church, 120 Vernon Valley Road, East Northport.