1925 – 2014

AUBURN — Dana W. Drew, 88, of Litchfield, passed peacefully on Wednesday, Oct. 29, at the Hospice House, with his family at his side. He was a loving, kind and patient family man.

He was born in Portland on Dec. 8 1925, a son of Edwin and Mildred. He grew up in Auburn, where he attended local schools. He graduated from Edward Little High School in 1944, and immediately joined the U.S. Army.

Dana served as military policeman assigned to transporting German prisoners of war from Boston to POW camps in northern Maine. While stationed in Alabama, he was part of an honor guard at a railway station during the passage of the funeral train bearing President Franklin Roosevelt’s body.

In 1949, Dana married Gloria Hildreth of Lewiston; they had five children. They lived for many years in Auburn, before moving to Portland in the 1980s. The family purchased a small summer cottage at Tacoma Lakes in Litchfield.

Upon retiring in the late 1980s, Dana and Gloria had a year-round home built on the site of this camp. Dana performed a great deal of the building of this beautiful home himself. He especially enjoyed spending time on the water, fishing or boating. Dana also enjoyed watching sports on television, especially the Patriots.

His survivors include Gloria, his wife of 65 years; his daughters, Lori of Clinton and Linda and her husband, Dennis, of Harpswell; and his sons, David of Litchfield and Stephan and his wife, Sherry, of Winthrop. “Papa” loved spending time with his grandchildren, Lucinda, Adam, Rachel, Greg, Katie, Sam and Dawson. He also leaves behind eight great-grandchildren and one great-great-grandchild.

He was predeceased by his brother, Ken; and son, Dana.

The family wishes to thank Dr. Jeffrey Brown and his staff and Dr. Stephen Gallagher for their kindness and compassionate care.

Family and friends are welcome to view a full biography and express condolences at funeralalternatives.net.