Dana H. Gaebe, 81, of Seekonk, passed away on June 22, 2025, surrounded by his wife of 56 years, Elizabeth, and sons, Glen and JT.
Born in San Francisco, he was the son of the late Morris J.W. and Audrey (Reidelberger) Gaebe. Dana moved with his family to Rhode Island in the early 1950s, where they lived in Providence before settling in Barrington. He graduated from Barrington High School in 1962, where he lettered in football, basketball, and baseball. He also earned the rank of Eagle Scout as a member of Troop 2 Barrington and journeyed to Philmont Scout Ranch in 1959 — the beginning of a lifelong commitment to the Boy Scouts of America.
Dana attended the College of William & Mary, where he met Elizabeth, played baseball, served as President of Lambda Chi Alpha fraternity, completed the ROTC program, and formed friendships that lasted a lifetime. He graduated in 1966 and went on to earn his Juris Doctor from Boston College Law School in 1969.
Commissioned into the U.S. Army, Dana deployed to Nha Trang, Vietnam in 1970. He returned home in 1971 promoted to Captain and having earned the Bronze Star. While stationed overseas, he also taught business law through the University of Maryland. His classroom was often a bunker.
Dana and Elizabeth settled in Seekonk, MA, close to Providence, where he built a distinguished legal career in corporate law and estate taxation. He was in-house Counsel to Robert E. Radican’s Network Solution and spent time with Armstrong Gibbons, LLP. before opening his own firm with longtime partners Wayne Kezirian and Allison Rock. Dana was elected to the Rhode Island Bar Foundation for excellence in the legal profession, received a Special Commendation from the Rhode Island Supreme Court for ethics in practice, and was awarded the Foundation’s highest honor for service to the community. He was a member of the U.S. Tax Court, the Rhode Island and Massachusetts Bars, and served on the Rhode Island Bar Association’s Committee on Corporate Law.
He has a long and dedicated service to Johnson & Wales University, as a legal counsel and a member of the Board of Trustees. He was recognized for his labors with an honorary Doctorate of Business Administration.
A dedicated volunteer, Dana remained deeply involved in Scouting throughout his life, serving as a Cubmaster and Assistant Scoutmaster, with a special passion for high-adventure expeditions. He was honored with the Silver Beaver Award, the Bucklin Award, and the Adult Eagle Scout Award for his many years of service. He also offered countless hours of pro bono legal work to those in need.
Dana was an avid outdoorsman and lifelong sports enthusiast. He was a longtime member of the Rhode Island Country Club where is name is carved on multiple golf trophies. He coached his sons’ baseball teams and taught them to ski, play tennis and golf, sail, canoe, and fish. In his early youth Dana was a member of the Barrington Boys Choir. He loved music and often sang or strummed his guitar—enthusiastically if not always in tune throughout his adult life.
Dana is survived by his wife Elizabeth, his sons JT and Glen, Glen’s wife Liz and their daughters Ariana and Sophie, Dana’s brothers John, Greg (Vicki), sister-in-law Paula, his beloved nieces and nephews, and pre-deceased by brother Geoff.
Dana will be remembered for his generosity, quiet strength, and unwavering commitment to service. His life was defined by integrity, humility, and a deep love for family, country, and community.
In lieu of flowers, the family kindly requests that donations be made in Dana’s memory to Rhode Island Boy Scouts, 223 Scituate Ave., Cranston, RI 02901 or to Johnson and Wales University scholarship fund.
A funeral service was held Tuesday, 1 July at 11:00 AM at St. John's Church, 191 County Road, Barrington, RI 02806.
Please visit www.smithmason.com. for online condolences.
