SOUTH PARIS – Alan Ashley Day, 54, died Feb. 6, in the “Little House” at Halls Pond, South Paris, embraced by the loving care of his family and friends. He was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer in January 2007, and chose alternative therapy. Between April and December he made six trips to Cologne, Germany, for treatment. This past year, he approached his illness with great courage, energy, humor, grace and dance. He was supported and loved by an ever-widening circle of incredible, caring friends.

He was born in Exeter, N.H., in January 1954. He moved with his family to the Mad River Valley in Vermont in December 1954. He grew up at Knoll Farm and attended the Fayston Elementary School, Holderness School in Plymouth, N.H., and graduated from Harwood Union High School in 1971. He majored in movement therapy at Hampshire College between 1972 and 1976. Moving to South Paris, he became the assistant to Tony Montanero at Celebration Mime Theater. For more than 20 years, he had a massage practice, Healing Hands, in Norway and in Portland.

His life revolved around dance, music and the arts. Through his music and dance he gave joy, love and healing to so many around this earth. He was passionate about the environment, peace, nonviolence and the natural world.

He is survived by his wife, Deirdre Sulka-Meister, and her daughter, Violet, of Portland; his daughters, Ruby Grace DayBranch and Emma Rose DayBranch, and their mother, Katey Branch, of Halls Pond; his mother, Ann Bemis Day of Fayston, Vt.; his sister, Deb Barnes of Gettysburgh, Pa.; his nephew, Haven Barnes of Manitou Springs, Colo.; his niece, Megan Day Leitz, her husband, Justin, and grandnephew, Reese, of Brisbane, Australia; Larry Grinnell of Fayston, Vt.; and Alan’s extended family, aunts, uncles and cousins.

He was predeceased by his father, Frank Ashley Day of Fayston; his maternal grandparents, Alan and Mary Bemis of Concord, Mass.; and his paternal grandparents, F. Ashley and Katherine Day, also of Concord.

A small private family gathering of songs, poems and remembrances was held in the “Little House” at Halls Pond on Feb. 7. He made the final trip on sleds across the snowy field to his resting place into the arms of Gaia, at the edge of the woods on the Halls Pond property.