Dana Benjamin Gilbert

Dana Gilbert, age 50, passed away on December 20, 2025, after a courageous battle with brain cancer, leaving behind a legacy of love and quiet strength. He was a beloved husband to his wife, Becky (Klinepeter) Gilbert, and a deeply devoted father to Elizabeth and Andrew, who were his world. Dana’s life was defined not only by perseverance, but by the love he gave to his family and the lasting impact he had on those fortunate enough to know him.

Dana was born on March 12, 1975, in Waterville, Maine and grew up in strong faith filled household guided by his parents Becky (Veilleux) Gilbert, and Richard Gilbert.

He is survived by his loving wife and best friend, Becky (Klinepeter) Gilbert and their two children Elizabeth and Andrew Gilbert. Dana is also survived by his parents, Richard Gilbert and Becky (Veilleux) Gilbert of Vassalboro, ME; his brother, Dean Gilbert, and his wife Jaime of Freeport, ME; nephews and niece Patrick Collins and Jack, Alex and Maddy Gilbert and a large and devoted extended family of aunts, uncles, and cousins.

From a young age, Dana was known for his quick humor, deep curiosity, and quiet kindness. He graduated from Waterville High School in 1993 and later earned a degree in graphic design from Central Maine Technical College in 1995, where he formed many lifelong friendships.

Dana’s greatest joy was his family. He met Becky in July 1998 at a campfire at his parents’ home, and from that night on they were inseparable. They moved to New Hampshire in 1999, married on September 22, 2001, and eventually settled in Epsom, NH, where they built a loving, joy-filled life together and raised their children. A kid at heart, Dana liked to joke that Becky was raising three children instead of two. He delighted in dreaming up adventures with Elizabeth and Andrew—from cardboard robot costumes and epic Nerf gun battles to family hikes and lazy days at the lake. These were the happiest years of his life, and their home was always filled with laughter, imagination, and love.

Dana cared deeply about his community and gave more than a decade of his time as a Boy Scouts leader, including several years as Scoutmaster for Epsom Pack 80. He truly cherished the opportunity to mentor young men, helping guide them into becoming responsible stewards of the land and active members of the community. As his children grew older, Dana happily returned to the hobbies he loved, including 3D printing and slot car racing—hands-on pursuits that perfectly reflected his creativity, curiosity, and love of tinkering.

Dana worked in the commercial printing field for more than 30 years as a press operator, most recently at Bridge and Byron Printers in Concord, NH. A talented tradesman, he brought excellence and meticulous attention to detail to every job. Hard-working, reliable, and trustworthy, Dana took pride in his work and valued the camaraderie and the plentiful candy bowl of the workplace.

Dana was often a man of few words, however he had many interests and could talk for hours about the merits or shortfalls of various Star Wars movies and could tell you the year and make of any Volkswagen beetle after the briefest glance. Dana also took great joy in life’s simple pleasures, especially food. While he loved many things, hot dogs held a special place in his heart. He often planned road trips around visits to obscure hot-dog stands and never visited a new city without first researching where to find the best one.

Dana also found deep peace in the woods, where hiking became not just a hobby, but a way of life. Most weekends he could be found hiking alongside his Jack Russell Terrier Sandy. They spent countless hours exploring New Hampshire’s trails and mountains. At the time Dana became suddenly ill, he and Sandy were working toward redlining the Belknap Mountain Range—a goal that remained close to his heart throughout his treatment. In his spirit, his family plans to gather friends in the spring to complete the challenge in his honor.

Family and friends will be received at Bennett Funeral Home on Monday, January 5, from 3:00–7:00 p.m. Funeral services will be held on Tuesday, January 6, at 11:00 a.m. at Bow Mills United Methodist Church in Bow, NH.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests you honor Dana’s legacy by donating in Dana’s memory to Southeast Land Trust (SELT) seltnh.org , and Jack’s Galore Rescue, 658 Summit Hill Rd., Washington MA 01223.

Quiet by nature, Dana didn’t seek attention, but his humor, steady strength, and deep love for his family—along with an unending search for the perfect hot dog—left a lasting mark on everyone who knew him.