Lewis Malcolm Dana

Lewis Malcolm Dana, 92, of East Hartford, passed away after an extended illness on May 24th. He was born in Fayston, VT on September 8, 1918 and was the son of the late Henry and Bertha (McCullough) Dana. Malcolm moved to East Hartford from Waitsfield, VT in 1941 and was a resident of East Hartford for 70 years. He was employed as a machinist for Pratt and Whitney Aircraft and retired from Pratt as a foreman in Experimental Engineering in 1977, after over 34 years. Following his retirement, he returned to school and earned a certificate in teaching. He went on to serve as an instructor at Cheney Vocational High School in Manchester for ten years, leaving in 1993. While there he was active in their Vocational Clubs of America chapter and served as their Club Advisor.

Malcolm’s avocation was carpentry and woodworking and he spent many long hours in his shop in the basement of his home, fabricating things from his famous “toast tongs” and trivets to picture frames and furniture. He served as the primary contributor to the construction of his family’s long-time home in East Hartford in 1952.

In his younger years, Malcolm was an avid bowler and golfer, and enjoyed many hours of sports and relaxation with his family, including years of frustration and finally reward with his beloved Boston Red Sox. He was also a big fan of the University of Connecticut men’s and women’s basketball teams. He was a communicant of St. Rose Church in East Hartford, where he served as sextant for many years. He was also an active member in The Knights of Columbus.

Malcolm was predeceased by his wife of 69 years, Helen (Kanisza), and is survived by his sons; Robert and his wife Claire of Liverpool, NY and Bruce and his wife Natalie of Marlborough, CT; four grandchildren; Tracy Fechter and her husband Jerry of Portland, OR, Michael Dana and his wife Heather also of Portland, OR, Meredith Krauss and her husband Jeremy of Framingham, MA and Amanda Dana and her fiancé Dan Sullivan of Glastonbury, CT; eight great-grandchildren, and his sister-in-law Erma Aquilina of East Hartford.

Funeral services will be Friday, May 27th, at 10:00 am at St. Rose Church, 33 Church St., East Hartford, preceded by a calling hour from 8:30-9:30AM at the Newkirk & Whitney Funeral Home, 318 Burnside Ave, East Hartford. Burial will be in St Mary’s Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made in Malcolm’s memory to Masonicare Partners Home Health and Hospice, 111 Founders Plaza, Suite 200, East Hartford CT, 06108. To leave an online tribute, please visit www.newkirkandwhitney.com.