Dana W. Cameron, 83, died Thursday, July 14, 2016, at a Caribou hospital. He was born June 8, 1933 in Ashland, a son of the late Laurel and Doris (Winslow) Cameron and was raised in Ashland.
Dana enlisted with the US Army Infantry during the Korean War, serving in Japan, and stateside in So. Carolina. He was most proud of his time serving as an Honor Guardsman at Arlington National Cemetery, where he assisted in bringing fellow fallen soldiers to their final place of rest. Following his honorable discharge, he returned to Ashland. He traveled and worked the woods for many years with former Diamond International and later as a foreman with Town of Ashland. During his retirement years, Dana rarely stood still, and he continued to busy himself working with Shamrock Trucking & Excavation, Portage, with his friend Danny Higgins and M&M Graham Farms, Ashland. He prided himself in learning to fly his airplane by watching VHS tapes and enjoyed his time exploring the skies. When he planted his feet on the ground, he’d relax at his camp on Squa Pan Lake with sometimes a sip of homemade corn liquor. Dana truly enjoyed his rides on the woods roads or fishing with his friends, Kenny Ireland and Pete Sawyer. Several enjoyable evenings ended with great friends, stories and conversations at Freem’s Bar & Grill, Ashland.
He is survived by: five children, Dana S. Cameron and his wife Sue of Ashland, Steven Cameron of Texas, P, Gail Bolstridge of Portage, formerly of Ashland, Elaine Chasse and her husband Bob of Ashland, and Bruce Cameron of Vermont; one brother, George Cameron of Arizona; fourteen grandchildren, Timmy, Ashley, Carrie, Cameron “CJ”, Christina, Bobbie Jo, Chelsea, Nathan, Joshua, Brooke, Mariah, Ava, Caleb & Tyler; fourteen great grandchildren; a nephew; and many friends who remember and cherish his crass sense of humor.
Dana was predeceased by: his first wife Juanita Sexton in 1955, second wife and mother of his children Mary Ruth Russell in 1986, third wife Lucille Toomey in 2015, his twin sister Dawn Cameron in 1993, and two grandchildren Michael and Joshua.
A funeral service will be celebrated at 2:00 PM on Thursday, July 21, 2016, at Union Congregational Church, Sheridan Rd., Ashland. Relatives and friends may greet the family 1:00 until the time of service at the church. Burial with military honors will follow in Ashland Municipal Cemetery. Arrangements are a service of Lajoie Funeral Home, 114 Exchange St./PO Box 39, Ashland, ME 04732. To share condolences online, please visit www.LajoieFuneralHome.com