Rangeley - Dana Wade Dunham, 66, of Oquossoc Avenue, Rangeley, died unexpectedly Thanksgiving morning at his home, He was born in Farmington, March 5, 1955, a son of David (Willard) and Evangeline Louise (Polland) Dunham Sr. He attended Rangeley school and is a veteran of the United States Army having served in Korea for two deployments as a vehicle mechanic, and wrecker operator. He was decorated and awarded the Armed Forces expeditionary medal, the national defense service medal, and was awarded the M-16 rifle sharpshooter badge. He was honorably discharged for the second time in 1979 and came back to live in his hometown with his family.

He worked locally for many carpenters in town and then was self-employed where his passion of working with wood and building tables, bars, remodeling rooms, and many other items for people became what he loved doing. His other talents among others included trapping unwanted animals and setting them free, plowing for numerous folks, caretaking for properties, mowing lawns, and most recently installing windows, and doing glass and screen repair.

On June 5, 1999, he married, whom has been his long-time companion for over 42 years, Jill Denise Gray at the Church of the Good Shepard. He enjoyed the great outdoors especially fishing and hunting especially with his son and teaching his love for these sports with his grandchildren. In the summers you could find him and jill working on their beautiful garden and flowers around the yard. He also loved taking care of all the birds and squirrels that took up home in his yard by building perches and stairs outside on his porch so he could watch them. He loved being with his children and helping them with their needs whether it be to remodeling their homes or fix anything that came up that they needed. He especially loved his grandkids and spending time with all of them. He was the main chef behind the grill at all our backyard events. He also loved all his fur-babies including “Buttons and Zipper” and all of his grand fur-babies.

He is survived by his wife Jill of Rangeley, his mother Evangeline of Rangeley , currently residing at Sandy River Nursing Care Center in Farmington: children, Deanna Caron and her husband Jaime of Stratton, Catrina Bonney and her husband Tony of Auburn, and Nicholas Wade Dunham and his wife Alana of Hudson: grandchildren, Maya and Meika Caron, Breeanna and Gryphin Bragg, Adrian and Tyler Wade Dunham: Siblings, David jr., Doris, Drucilla, and Dennis; he was predeceased by his father, David Dunham, Sr.

Public memorial services will be held at 2 pm on Saturday Dec. 4, 2021, at the Church of the Good Shepherd, Main St. Rangeley. The use of masks is strongly required for our sensitive family members. In lieu of flower donations can be made to House in the Woods, 217 Skunk Hill Rd., Lee Maine 04455 or to the Special Olympics of Maine, 125 John Roberts Rd Ste 5, South Portland, ME 04106. Private family interment with US Army Honors will be in the spring at Evergreen Cemetery in Rangeley. Memories may be shared in Dana’s book of memories at www. wilesrc.com. Cremation care and memorial services are being cared for and provided by the Wiles Remembrance Center, 137 Farmington Falls Road, Farmington.