Dana was born in Fitchburg, Mass., on June 5, 1933, the son of Emily and Joseph H. Baggett. He graduated from Leominster High School in 1951 and earned a Bachelor of Arts in Public Management from the University of Maine, Orono, with distinction. After college, Dana served in the US Army AMEDs, received a good conduct ribbon and was honorably discharged in 1957. He earned his Master of Governmental Administration from the Fels Institute, Wharton Graduate School, University of Pennsylvania in 1959.
Dana had a long and successful career in Public Administration, starting with an internship at the Brunswick Town office in 1953 and ’54. He was the Assistant to the Town Manager in Zanesville, Ohio, and served as a well-respected City Manager of both Gardiner, Maine, and Mt. Holly, N.J. Dana was the Director of the Bureau of Public Administration at the University of Maine, Orono, from 1965 to 1973 and worked for the U.S. Treasury Department in Washington, D.C., for over 10 years. In his final return to Maine, Dana served as the State Court Administrator from 1981-1992 and was instrumental in the creation of the West Bath District Courthouse. As the co-owner of the Bailey Island General Store with his wife, Judy, he could be found selling Sunday papers with the family basset hound from 1981-1993. He worked for L.L. Bean in his retirement.
Dana was Chairman of the Chapel Committee for All Saints by the Sea, Bailey Island, for many years. He was devoted to Brunswick Area Respite Care as a board member and active leader of support groups for caregivers of loved ones with memory loss. He adored cats and had a special feline companion of many years, “Mr. Black.” He also enjoyed walking, big band music, and entertaining friends with puns. Dana had an uncommon, accepting warmth toward all people and a winning smile.
Dana was predeceased by his son, Ian Andrew Baggett and his grandson, Ian Jr., both of Sykesville, Md. He is survived by his wife of 55 years; a daughter, Meredith Smithson and her children, Rosemary and Marshall Cumback; a daughter, Darcy Baggett and her children, Elliot and Dina Murphy; a son, Graeme Baggett and his son, Zachary Fisette, all of Brunswick.
Arrangements are under the care of Advantage Funeral & Cremation Services, 981 Forest Ave. Portland. Please visit www.advantageportland.com to sign Dana’s guestbook.
A private service will be held later in the summer on Bailey Island. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations can be made to Brunswick Area Respite Care, P.O. Box 446 Brunswick, ME 04011; or at www.respitecare.org.
Comments are not available on this story.
Send questions/comments to the editors.
