Dana Paul Hurtubise

Dana Paul Hurtubise lived life fully on his own terms, leaving behind a legacy of adventure and laughter. At the age of 73 Dana passed away peacefully at his home in Portland, Maine on Memorial Day evening to the song of “My Way” by Frank Sinatra, following a battle with kidney cancer. Dana was born on March 18, 1953, in Bath, Maine. Son of the late Joseph “Leo” and Philomena “Eddie” (Taes) Hurtubise.

Dana was often described as a true “salt of the earth” person – kind, genuine, and someone who could make anyone feel like an old friend. Born in Bath and raised in Portland, he was a Mainer through and through. Dana attended every school he could on Stevens Avenue in Portland, except for McAuley High School, which, being an all-girls school, remained the one institution he never managed to get into. He attended St. Joseph’s, Longfellow Elementary, and Lincoln Middle School before graduating from Deering High School in 1971.

He went on to pursue higher education, building the foundation for a lifelong career in the medical field devoted to the service of others. Dana attended Northeastern in Boston followed by Westbrook College (now UNE) also located on Stevens Avenue in Portland where he finished his nursing degree. Shortly after Dana received a degree in Respiratory Therapy from Southern Maine Vocational Technical Institute.

Early in his career, Dana worked in Rumford, Maine, a cherished chapter of life due the birth of his first daughter, Alyssa. Dana spent a couple years abroad managing the Respiratory Therapy Department at King Fahad Medical City in Saudi Arabia. After returning home, he joined the United States Naval Reserve as a Corpsman and was stationed in Bethesda, Maryland, where he met his soon-to-be wife, Debra Diamond, a fellow Second Class Petty Officer. During Desert Storm, he served stateside at the Bethesda Naval Hospital. Following his service, he moved to New York, Debra’s home state, and worked as a nurse at Keller Army Hospital at West Point.

As a true Mainer Dana found his way back to Maine. Dana and Debra decided to make Portland their home, where they built a life together and had daughters, Danielle and Erika. Dana continued his life’s work in healthcare, spending 30 years of his career as a critical care nurse. He provided steady, compassionate care to patients and families facing difficult moments. Even in the most challenging times, he brought comfort to patients and their families through humor. His wit and kindness were his best instruments.

During retirement, Dana stayed busy and could be found in the produce department at Shaw’s. Not one to take things too seriously, he was often better known for the conversations he started than the work he was doing, and as always, for lightheartedly stirring things up between coworkers.

Dana dedicated his career to caring for others, yet he never missed the chance to create memories that became the kind of stories people tell for years. He embraced life fully – working hard, and just as importantly, enjoying it.

A man of many interests, he found beauty in the small and often overlooked details of life. Photography was one of his greatest joys, with his lens most often drawn to the sunflowers he planted, his beloved dogs, the wildlife that gathered around his home, and the candid moments shared with the people he loved. He spent countless hours watching and feeding the birds and squirrels in the yard – much to the amusement of family, as the squirrels seemed to grow especially large under his generous care. His taste in music was as varied as his many passions, and his home reflected the warmth of his curious spirit.

While working in Saudi Arabia, Dana earned the title of “World Traveler,” and took the opportunity to explore the Middle East, including Turkey, Jordan, and Egypt. His love of adventure began early in life. While in high school, Dana and a friend became the two youngest certified scuba divers in Maine, a passion he later carried abroad, including dives in the Red Sea.

With family roots in Europe – his mother born in Belgium – he was naturally drawn back across the Atlantic. Those travels took him through Amsterdam, Denmark, England, Scotland, and Italy, among others. He had a way of connecting with people wherever he went, often leaving behind new friendships as well as lasting memories of his visits.

Stateside, Dana traveled extensively across the United States. Including several journeys on his motorcycle and a memorable six-week trip with his wife, Debra. Together, they camped out of his pickup truck along the northern route, starting at Niagara Falls, traveling through the Canadian provinces to the Yukon, then down to Tijuana before making their way back home to Maine.

Dana was rarely far from his motorcycle. A standout trip was from Maine to Daytona for Bike Week, where he was recognized as the farthest traveler. Motorcycles are not typically known as the most practical form of transportation for a family with young children, but Dana found a way to make it work. He modified his motorcycle with a sidecar, creating a ride that always drew attention – especially in the elementary school pickup line, where he would arrive to pick up his daughters.

Beyond his thrill-seeking hobbies, Dana was rarely still when he was at home. There was always a project in motion from gardening, to home renovations, or something in between. He found a deep sense of satisfaction in working with his hands, constantly shaping and caring for the space around him. Throughout it all, there was always a record playing in the background and a dog close by. Dana especially enjoyed the time spent “upta camp” at the cabin he and Debra built together in Saint Albans, Maine, a place that became a true gathering spot for family and friends.

Dana is predeceased by his daughter, Alyssa Foss; sister, Moncia Taes; sister-inlaw, Roxanne Clifford. He is survived by his wife of 32 years, Debra Diamond; daughters, Danielle and her husband Nicholas Scarmazzo, and Erika and her fiancé, Cole Chesbro; son, Ethan Foss; grandsons, Jack and Jude Foss; brother, Leo Hurtubise; close nephew, Alexander Hurtubise, and many other nieces, nephews, and extended family members.

Family and friends are invited to visit from 2pm to 6pm on Wednesday, June 10, 2026, a Service with Military Honors will begin at 4:00pm at the new Conroy-Tully Walker Funeral, Cremation, and Gathering Center, 300 Allen Ave. Portland.

In lieu of buying cut flowers for the Hurtubise family or services, please plant sunflowers in your gardens in Dana’s memory.