Dana Hewitt Whittemore

Dana was born in the Town of Dennis on October 10, 1922, son of Earl H. Whittemore, Sr. and Ethel (Darling) Whittemore. He was graduated from Yarmouth High School in 1940. As a freshman in High School he met his future wife, Janette Schauwecker, whom he nicknamed “Suzi”, played on the basketball, baseball and football teams and earned his letter in football in his senior year. In 1942, he enlisted in the Air Force and served at Albrook Field in Panama, in the Canal Zone. He attained the rank of Staff Sergeant and returned to his home in Dennis after discharge. On September 15, 1945, he married “Suzi”.

Dana began his firefighting career with the Dennis Fire Department. Upon his move to Yarmouth, he joined the Yarmouth Fire Department and on December 4, 1952, was appointed Fire Chief of Yarmouth and served in that capacity until his retirement on December 31, 1975.

While Chief of Yarmouth, Dana was appointed by the Governor of Massachusetts to serve on a committee with other Massachusetts Fire Chiefs chaired by Dr. Timothy Johnson. This committee was charged with devising rules and regulations governing the training of personnel for the purpose of establishing the EMS service. The committee also determined the necessary equipment to be carried on the rescue vehicles throughout the Commonwealth.

Also while Chief, he served as a member of the International Association of Fire Chiefs and was a member serving a term on the Board of Directors for the New England Association of Fire Chiefs. Dana was a member of the Board of Directors in the Massachusetts Association of Fire Chiefs. He was elected as chairman for a term of the Cape Cod Fire Chiefs Association. He served terms as president of the Cape Cod Foresters and Firefighters Association, was chairman of the Mutual Aid Committee of Cape Cod, sat on the Fire Radio frequency Assignment committee, was a member of the Barnstable County Fire Patrol Plane committee and was appointed by the Barnstable County Commissioners to oversee the building of the Barnstable County Fire Training School. Upon his retirement, he was appointed by Cape Cod Community College to teach several Fire Science courses for fire personnel throughout the Cape. He was a past member of the Howard Masonic Lodge in South Yarmouth.

He is survived by his wife of 73 years, Janette “Suzi”, her brothers. Allen T. Schauwecker (Elleen) of Yarmouth Port, MA, Robert S. Schauwecker (Lavonne) of Henderson, TX and sister, Frieda A. White (Alfred, Sr.) of West Yarmouth; his children Dianne Roderick (James) and David H. Whittemore (Dale) all of Yarmouth Port, MA. He is also survived by his grandchildren, to whom he was affectionately known as “Spooky”: Sonya MacDonald (Dana) of Harwich, MA, Sondra Lennon (Kevin) of Cummaquid, MA, Andrea McGuiness (Timothy) of Northborough, MA, Erika Cloutier (Ronnie) of Heath, TX, Jennifer Bunnell (Matthew) of West Barnstable, MA, and Jeffrey (Aimee) Whittemore of Yarmouth Port, MA; 14 great-grandchildren, 4 great-great grandchildren; and many nephews and nieces. He was predeceased by his brother, Earl H. Whittemore, Jr., former Police Chief of the Town of Dennis, MA, and his baby sister, Dorothy Whittemore.

The family is thankful for the love, support and professional care provided by Mayflower Nursing & Rehabilitation Facility, Henry Tufts M.D., Broadreach Hospice, The Yarmouth Fire Department, all those who touched and enriched his life with their friendship and those special people who he gifted with one of his “original” nicknames—you were special to him.

Visiting hours will be held by Doane, Beal and Ames, 729 Route 134, South Dennis, MA from 4-7 p.m. on Thursday, December 6, 2018.

A celebration of life will be held at the First Congregational Church, Rte. 6A, Yarmouth Port, MA, at 11 a.m. on Friday, December 7, 2018.

In lieu of flowers, donations in Dana’s memory may be made to the Yarmouth Fire Fighters Relief Association, c/o Yarmouth Fire Department, 96 Main Street, South Yarmouth, MA 02664.