Matthew A. Dana

Born March 12, 1990 in Ogdensburg, he was the son of Bruce Dana and Rhonda Gilmour.

The family moved to Tupper Lake where Matthew attended local schools. He graduated from Tupper Lake High School with honors in 2008. He was on the Lumberjack football and hockey teams. During this time, he began an avid bodybuilding program and weight training. He enjoyed the outdoors, hunting, fishing with his friends and family in the Adirondacks and on the St. Lawrence River in the Ogdensburg/Morristown area. He was also a member of the Tupper Lake Sportsman’s club.

After graduating, high school, he attended North Country Community College in Saranac Lake, enrolled in the Criminal Justice program. He was awarded high honors on the president’s list. He transferred to SUNY Canton were he continued to excel, being named to the dean’s and president’s list, and completed his bachelor’s degree in criminal justice. He was inducted into the National Honor Society on Dec. 1, 2010.

Following graduation in 2012, he joined the Tupper Lake Police Department. He was promoted to sergeant in September 2016.

Matthew was admired by many for his kind and easy going, well-mannered personality, with a ready smile. Always quick to lend a hand without being asked. He enjoyed his work with the TLPD and was well thought of by his fellow officers.

Matthew is survived by his father and mother; stepfather Michael Demars; his girlfriend Bridgette LaPierre; one sister, Elizabeth; a brother Benjamin; grandparents, Patricia and William Bartlett of Lisbon, Donald and Jill Bryer of Alexandria Bay; aunts and uncles Sonja and Gary Flansburg of Utica, Daniel Bryer of Tupper Lake, Susan and David Myers of Sanford, North Carolina; and cousins Jeremy and Debbie Carpenter and Amanda and Ashley Bryer.

Matthew was pre-deceased by a brother, Jameson.

Calling hours were held Wednesday, Aug. 9 at the Tupper Lake Christian Center in Tupper Lake. A funeral service was held Thursday, Aug. 10 at Holy Name Church.

Memorial donations may be made to the TLPD Canine Unit in care of the Stuart-Fortune-Keough funeral home.