Always a helper
I first connected with Dana about five years ago when I was writing a blog post on student voting in elections. It was during the 2011 federal election, and I wanted to speak with someone at Elections Canada who could comment. When I phoned it was difficult to get put in touch with anyone, unless you were a reporter, so I told the gatekeeper I was writing a story for the Dalhousie Gazette. Once I did that, they put me through to Dana. I asked him the questions I had prepared, he answered with surprising candour, insight, and eagerness to have a conversation with me. After the “interview” was over, we had a good conversation about our shared interest in getting youth more engaged in politics.
A couple of years later (2013) he approached me to work on a project on the same topic I had interviewed him about two years previous. He didn’t know it at the time, but the invitation came at a time when - despite having plenty on my plate - I desperately needed paid work. There are a few times in my life when I look back and wonder, what would have happened to me if this opportunity, or that one never appeared? This is one of the big ones, perhaps small in the grand scheme of things, but critical for me at the time. I’m grateful that Dana reached out to me.
Since then, I’ve called Dana often to ask his advice. Usually, I’d call with one or two questions about elections in mind, I’d ask them, and then inevitably, I’d think of more questions as he started to talk. He tried to coach me out of the habit of saying “Ok, I have one more question…” (because it was never true) by replying: “There’s no quota on questions, you know!”
I spoke with him just two weeks ago about a project I was working on. Same Dana as always: ever helpful, and happy to be so. His enthusiasm for good, lively conversation was clear to anyone who had the opportunity to be in one with him. That’s what I’ll remember.
Nancy, Sam, Gen and Ali - you have been in my thoughts ever since I heard the news. I’ve never met Sam, Gen or Ali, but he was always talking about them, and I could tell he was very proud. I’m very sorry for your loss, and hope you’ll find some comfort in knowing the lives Dana touched while he was here.