BUXTON- Dana Cleveland Ryder, son of Cleveland L. and E. Isabella Carter Ryder, was born December 9, 1933, in the Maine Eye and Ear Infirmary in Portland, Maine. He lived in South Portland until the age of 9, he then moved to Cape Elizabeth. He attended South Portland and Cape Elizabeth schools and graduated from Cape Elizabeth High School in 1952. He joined the U.S. Air Force following graduation and served stateside during the Korean War. Dana worked doing rigging work on the Texas Towers, Commercial Riggers and Chase Transfer. He joined the South Portland Fire Department in 1962 and retired in 1985. He married Nancy A. Nason on January 27, 1961, in Bangor, Maine.
He joined Forest City Chapter, Order of DeMolay in 1949. He became a member of the Advisory Board of Frank S. Land DeMolay Chapter in 1983 and served as Chapter Dad for 18 years. He received the Cross of Honor, Guild of the Leather Apron (Advisor of the Year), Zerubbabel Key (for starting a new DeMolay chapter, which was in Moncton, New Brunswick), the Degree of Chevalier, and Legion of Honor. He was a Past Patron of Longfellow Chapter #61 Order of Eastern Star, and a member of Corner Stone Chapter #193 OES, and Star Light #203 OES. He was a member of Buxton Masonic Lodge #115. He was a former member of Scottish Rite, Kora Shrine Temple, Cape Elizabeth Grange, and South Portland Baptist Church. He was a member of the Little Falls Bible Church in Gorham.
Dana spent many summers at their getaway “Hardship Acres,” in Canaan Forks, New Brunswick. He traveled to 47 out of the 50 states, including Alaska and Hawaii, along with Mexico and the Caribbean. He also traveled to all 10 Canadian provinces and one of the three territories. He co-authored three books on genealogy (Ryder, Corey, Carter) and provided material and pictures on two others (Alward, Thorne).
He is survived by daughters Sheryl (Curt) Brown of Raymond and Wanda Lee (John) Roberts of Buxton. Sons, Cleveland L. (Tammy) Ryder and Dana W. (Susan) Ryder of Buxton, and son-in-law Sean Shanahan of Raymond. He is also survived by 13 grandchildren and 21 great grandchildren, and 1 great-great grandchild. Sister-in-laws, Joanne Ryder of Bradenton, FL. and Louann Ryder of Westbrook. Also, by many nieces, nephews, and cousins. He was predeceased by his wife Nancy Ryder, his parents, brothers Ernest W. Ryder in 2021, Duane C. Ryder and Clayburn L. Ryder in 2015 and daughter Sheila Shanahan in 2014.
Funeral services will be held at the Little Falls Bible Church in Gorham on Saturday, May 16th, starting with a visiting hour at 10:00am, followed by a memorial service at 11:00am. Graveside services for Dana and Nancy for friends and family will be at 2:00pm.
In lieu of flowers please make donations in his memory to Portland Children's Dyslexia Center, 1897 Congress Street, Portland, Maine 04102.
Arrangements have been entrusted to Chad E. Poitras Cremation and Funeral Service, Buxton, www.mainefuneral.com
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