FREEDOM – The man with the warmest smile, longest braid and blackest beret, J. Dana Canavan, 51, was taken from us Wednesday morning, July 7, 2010. His life was cut short by a tragic car accident on his way to work. He was born Oct. 23, 1958, in Brooklyn, N.Y. He attended James Madison High School, the University of Maine, Orono, and Northeastern University. He was a resident and committed community member of Maine for 30 years; he loved his state and the closeness to nature that it provided. Dana worked for Maine Department of Transportation for 20 years, proudly helping to maintain Maine’s roads and highways. His work there afforded him the opportunity to work in the outdoors, meet many people and spend summer nights under the star-filled night sky. Dana had an abundance of friends and acquaintances from different periods of his life that enriched and filled his life with great stories and fond memories. He loved people and was always eager to take time out for a chat. Inspired by his father, Dana had a passion for baking. Lucky are the friends with whom he shared the many wonderful Christmas cookies, wedding cakes and countless birthday cakes. He loved to feed us all cake! He is survived by his cherished and beloved partner of 11 years, Linda Stout; father to Tammy Pagliaroli, Ryan Lloyd and Dylan Black, and Colin Lloyd; grandfather to Lacey Pagliaroli; beloved son of Edgar and Ingrid Canavan of Waldoboro; brother of Ed Canavan and Valentina Harizanov of Columbia, Md., Lydia Canavan and Roy Skog of Fresno, Calif., Lorna Kahn and Randy Kahn, of St. Louis, and Bryan Canavan of Boston; and uncle to Alycia Canavan-Monte, Madison, Hana and Satchel Kahn, Sofija and Kalina Canavan, and Tres and Sawyer Skog. We will gather with Dana to say our last good-byes and to celebrate his life Saturday, July 10. Friends are welcome to join us 1 p.m. in Dana and Linda’s garden for a ceremony to share stories, songs and memories, with a pot luck reception afterward. Arrangements are under the care of Crabiel-Riposta Funeral Home, Belfast. Online condolences may be made to Dana’s family at www.ripostafh.com.
J. DANA CANAVAN
