Groton , VT-  Frederick Robert Dana, 92, died on April 28, 2017, at Woodridge Rehabilitation and Nursing Home in Berlin, VT, surrounded by family, following a brief struggle with declining health.

Fred was born in South Ryegate, VT, on March 8, 1925, to Robert and Bernice (Hart) Dana.  He lived in Groton all his life.  He graduated from Groton High School in June 1943 and enlisted in the US Navy in October 1943.  After basic training and Fire and Catapult Schools, Fred served aboard the USS Carrier Bogue, operating the catapult, while serving in the North Atlantic and Pacific.  He was discharged in April 1946.  He served his country proudly but never talked much about it until his grandsons asked him.

He worked at Jones Brothers Granite Shed as a lumper for twelve years.  He built and operated Valley Lumber Company in Groton, where he sawed hardwood squares for furniture and ash blanks for hockey sticks.

Fred built two new homes for his family.  His last home was called Little Deer .  After he moved there in 1991, he loved it so much that he never wanted to go anywhere. His son, Terry, loved Little Deer as much as his dad did, and was there almost every day assisting him with many projects.  Fred planted a large garden every year, landscaped, built walking paths, bridges and stone walls.  He also had a large blueberry field along with raspberries.  Up through the fall of 2016, he put in many miles on his beloved John Deere tractor.

Fred loved fishing, hunting, golfing, pitching horseshoes, bowling,  playing dominoes and cards.  Until his hospitalization, he beat his wife, son, and daughter at many games of dominoes.  He was a very smart, multi-talented man who could build houses and furniture and could fix almost anything.  His grandsons were very proud of their progressive-thinking grandfather.  Fred loved to eat and had a very sweet tooth.  He was known for his loved of lobsters and was very good at preparing them.  He was a great prankster.  He was loved at Woodridge and laughed a lot with the nurses.

Fred is survived by his wife of 69 years, Madeline (Darling) Dana of Groton; his daughter, Sherry Meredith of Glen Burnie, MD; his son, Terry Dana and his wife Roberta of Groton; his two grandsons, Jason Dana and his wife Erin of Leominster, MA and Michael Dana and his wife Renee of Windham, ME; and many nieces, nephews, and cousins.

He was predeceased by his mother, Bernice Williams and his stepfather Perley Williams, his half-brothers, Guy Williams and Merle Williams, his sister, Phyllis Carpenter, and his brother, Kenneth Williams.

Fred and Madeline were grateful to their daughter, Sherry, who dedicated the past four years in helping to care for her dad.

In keeping with Fred's wishes, there are no public services being planned.

Memorial contributions may be made to Woodridge Rehabilitation and Nursing Home, PO Box 550, Barre, VT 05641.  These contributions will be used to support the Licensed Nursing Assistant Scholarship Fund or the Woodridge Activity Fund.