Dana Winslow Miles

Portland, ME- Dana Winslow Miles, 90, passed away peacefully at home with his beloved daughter by his side on October 22, 2023. He was rich in wisdom, kindness and love. He loved unconditionally, gave generously, and forgave easily. He had a way of making the ordinary feel extraordinary turning every day moments into cherished memories. He knew the value of hard work, the importance of honesty, and the strength of humility. His journey through life was an adventurous one that he embarked on with courage and dignity. His passing leaves a profound void, yet his spirit continues to surround and guide us.

Dana was born in Lewiston, Maine on January 9, 1933 the 5th child and 3rd son of Charles and Alice (Shedd) Miles. He grew up in Auburn, Maine graduating from Edward Little High School in 1951. He joined the United States Marine Corps after high school and received training at Parris Island, Cherry Point, Camp Pendleton and Camp Lejune. He served in the Korean Conflict and on his return was stationed at the Newport, Rhode Island Naval Base before his honorable discharge in August 1954. He married the love of his life, June Meredith Leavitt on June 29, 1957 at the Court Street Baptist Church in Auburn, Maine and they were married for 50 years before her death in 2007. They had two children Belinda Ann and Thomas Charles.

Dana attended Wentworth Institute in 1955 and left in 1956 to work as a Lineman for New England Telephone and Telegraph. His career for NET spanned 36 years working in many capacities as a Central Office Maintenance Switchman for various local and toll switches in the greater Portland area, as a Supervisor and as an Operations Manager for the Installation and Maintenance departments. He retired in 1992 as the Maine Public Affairs Manager in Bell Atlantic’s External Affairs Department.

He was active after his retirement being the sole proprietor of the Telephone Wiring Company and managing his residential apartments in Auburn, Maine. He worked as a Quality Field Inspector and Trainer in the New England area for Bell Atlantic and was a full time employee for the Maine Turnpike Authority.

In his early years he enjoyed camping and snowmobiling with his family. He was handy with tools and always had a project in progress or was helping a neighbor. He spent time with friends in Tennessee on their cattle farm attending cattle auctions, haying, processing cattle and building fences always finding time for a little golf and Nashville life. He was a member of the Fairlawn Country Golf Club and played with the Telephone Seagull Golf League at Riverside in Portland. Dana was an avid reader and amassed a significant library of biography, mystery, fiction and non-fiction books.

Dana was very involved in the community with many hours spent volunteering with the Telephone Pioneers of America and the Greater Portland United Way. He was the President and member of the local chapter of Christmas in April, a PTA President for the Lyseth Elementary School in Portland, and Presidents of the Portland and Greater Portland Youth Hockey. Dana was President and Club Secretary for the Portland Lions Club and for many years managed their Eye Glass Program. He served as a church Deacon for the Waterville Baptist Church.

He was pre-deceased by his devoted wife June Meredith who passed away on December 29, 2007; his brothers Kenneth Miles and Donald Miles; his sisters, Phyllis Bernard and Christine Coutts, all of Auburn, ME.

Dana is survived by his daughter, Belinda Miles and her husband Raymond Beland; a son, Thomas Miles of Portland, ME; granddaughter, Fallyn Marie Miles, her partner Justin Murphy and his great granddaughter, Haisley of Old Orchard Beach, ME. He will be missed by his brother Wallace Miles and his wife Sandra of Saugus, MA; his sister, Nina Mae and her husband David Stimson of Mechanic Falls, ME; sister-in-law, Dolores Eastman of New Gloucester, MA; brother-in-law, Gard Leavitt and his wife Sandy of Auburn, ME, as well as many nieces and nephews.

There will be a private graveside service for family and friends at Gracelawn Memorial Park, 980 Turner St., Auburn, ME 04210.

Please visit www.jonesrichandbarnes.com to sign Dana’s online guest book.