Dana W. Kangas

Dana W. Kangas, 74, was born in Gloucester, May 11th 1951, to the late Helen and Donald Kangas, the youngest to his sister Geri and brother Donald. Dana attended Gloucester schools and graduated from Gloucester High in 1969. Growing up in the Centennial Ave. neighborhood, including the Oval, it was Dana's "kid everything": hockey, baseball and fishing behind the anchor foundry. During school breaks he mated aboard the Stanwoods' boat, where he was introduced to the art of harpoon fishing. He spent hours atop his shed roof perfecting his pole throwing.
In his junior year Dana's sister married Billy Rich and immediately they formed a brotherhood. With his savings and a loan from his dad, he purchased his first boat, the Coot, Dana's nickname from his coot-shooting days in the Essex marshes. It was quickly replaced with the Royal Lowell boat, the Coot, and its characteristic "war bonnet" of trailing flag buoys. Thus began Dana's long and successful fishing career. There was no greater pleasure for Dana than to end a day at sea, passing through the breakwater, crossing the harbor to weigh in his catch, then returning to a welcoming crowd at Beacon Marine sports dock.
Dana retired in the early 2000's when the predominant tuna presence in Middle Bank/Cape Cod Bay shifted Down East and off shore.
Dana was predeceased by his sister Geri, brother Donald, brothers-in-law Billy Rich, Joseph, James, and Jon Helie.
In addition to wife, Suellen, he is survived by his sister-in-law Emmy Kangas, nephews Craig Rich, Chris Rich and his wife Kelly, their son Kai: his niece Lisa Sanfillipo and her husband Dominic, their daughter Vanessa and son Josiah.
Services will be private.
A celebration of Dana's life will be held at The Gloucester Fraternity Club, 27 Webster St., Thursday November 13th, 1-4p.m. Relatives and friends are invited to attend. Arrangements by the Greely Funeral Home, 212 Washington Street, Gloucester. For online condolences, please visit www.greelyfuneralhome.com