B. Dana Leathers '56
COPLIN PLANTATION -- B. Dana Leathers, 77, of Coplin Plantation passed away peacefully on Jan. 29, 2011 at Maine General Hospital, Thayer Campus in Waterville surrounded by his family.
He was born in Waterville on Sept. 11, 1933, the eldest child of the late Bernard and Vivian (Pierce) Leathers. He graduated from Gorham High School and Maine Maritime Academy and became an engineer with the merchant marines.
Dana married the love of his life, Estelle Curran, in 1957. They began their life together in Gorham where their four children were born. After his days at sea, he worked many jobs including running the family business, Fat's Restaurant in Gorham. He also worked in the paper industry in Woodland; St. John, N.B.; Bogalusa, La. and eventually the Scott Paper-Hinckley Mill in Skowhegan.
Dana was an avid outdoorsman, spending quality time at his camp at Lake Moxie, which was passed from his grandfather. He enjoyed sharing his love of fishing with his children and grandchildren. He was a hunting and fishing enthusiast, and became a whitewater raft guide at the age of 50 and began skiing at the age of 60.
Dana was a proud Free Mason and was raised to the sublime degree of Master Mason in 1955 of the Gorham Harmony Lodge. He became very active in the Masons later in his life, becoming Master of the Mt. Bigelow Lodge in Stratton, eventually serving as District Deputy for Franklin County.
Dana truly lived for his family, rarely missing his grandchildren's games, concerts and school events. He spent the best years of his life with his family and many close friends at Lake Moxie, and they all were recipients of his friendship, acceptance and understanding.
He was predeceased by his wife, Estelle, in 2005. He leaves behind his son, Mark Leathers, and wife, Valerie, of Levant, and their children, Rebecca, Alexander, Christopher, Michaela, Matthew, and Mesha; daughter Anita Bolduc of Norridgewock and her children Seth and Alicia; daughter Deborah Gagnon and husband, Ken, of Waterville and their children Kelsey, Bethany, and Jenna; and daughter Denise Leathers and husband, Larry Zanca, of Eliot; and one great-grandchild. Dana is also survived by his sister, Donna Jones; and sisters-in-law, Ruth Linehan, Christine Peek and Carmen Rioux.
In the Mason tradition, a memorial gathering will be held 1-3 p.m., Tuesday, Feb. 1 at the Norridgewock Masonic Lodge 116, 251 Mercer Road, Norridgewock. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in his memory to the Maine Masons, c/o Don MacDougal, 120 McDougal Road, Hartland, ME 04943.
Published in Morning Sentinel on January 31, 2011
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