Dana P. Stewart

PORTLAND — Dana Phillip Stewart, 62, passed away suddenly in Portland on Tuesday, Aug. 27, 2013.

Dana was born in Portland to Edna (How) Stewart and Russell P. Stewart on Oct. 26, 1950. He was a lifelong Maine resident and attended South Portland schools.

Dana started his working career early. At 14, he started working at Shorty’s Chevron Station. He was very particular about keeping his cars clean, even going as far as waxing the seats, which was ever the challenge for keeping passengers off the floor. Eventually, Dana owned his own filling station. Tinkering with cars was a hobby, and he was able to pull a car apart and put it back together again without too many spare parts.

Always the animal lover, in his early years he was the K-9 officer for the South Portland Police Department. Preferring to be on his own, he was mostly self-employed. He started a two-way radio installation company, installing phones and two-way radios in police and fire vehicles.

Dana loved country music, the oldies, and Elvis. He never saw a funny movie that he didn’t like. He loved them all, regardless of how silly they may have been.

He was a member of the volunteer fire department at the Pleasantdale, South Portland firehouse. He was also a member of the Portland and South Portland Eagles.

He is survived by his daughter, Tracy Stewart Towle of Augusta; a granddaughter; sisters, Patricia Howard of Raymond and Susan Williams of Scarborough; a niece, two nephewS, two grand-nieces and four grand-nephews.

A celebration of Dana’s life will be held on Saturday, Sept. 7 at 10 a.m., at A.T. Hutchins Funeral & Cremation Services, 660 Brighton Avenue, Portland. There will be refreshments served immediately afterward.

To offer words of condolence and share memories with the family, please go to www.athutchins.com

In lieu of flowers, please consider donations to an animal shelter or the charity of your choice.