Friday, June 21, 2019
Callista, on behalf of my wife Alice and me, I want to extend our sincerest condolences on the passing of Dana. As I write this, I am in shock and disbelief, as I only just became aware of his passing.
I only got to know Dana during the final two years of my teaching career when we were both recently elected newbies on the NLTA Provincial Executive (1999-2001).
Life's journey is ultimately about other human beings with whom we come into contact and form some sort of relationship and those relationships are somewhat like a series of concentric circles. Obviously, at the centre would be our immediate family, generally consisting of our parents, siblings and extended family. The next ring might be close friends and/or colleagues but somewhere near the center is a ring of acquaintances with whom you have had limited contact and interaction but who stand out in terms of quality and character and who leave an indelible mark on you!
Dana was in that meaningful orbit for me.
The more I read his beautiful obituary, the more I became aware why we clicked and why I liked, appreciated and admired him. We shared so much in common, except for the part where it said he played his accordion!
He definitely was a friendly, respectful, engaging and uplifting individual. More importantly, he was a man of strong character and moral conviction, very appreciative of all that he had but concerned about the state and status of others.
Callista, it goes without saying that he will not be forgotten by you, his children and all those others in his family, his friends and colleagues but, given the full and bountiful legacy described in his obit, Dana will not be forgotten by so many others whose lives he touched in so many ways.
Please pass on our heartfelt condolences to all your family.
Ken & Alice Kavanagh
Bell Island