Dana Scott Hiltz, a man who embraced life and deeply valued the friendships he made along the way, passed away after an extended illness on Thursday, October 30, 2025. He was 71 years old.

Dana was born in Everett, the son of Lucille (Meuse) and Walter Hiltz. He was one of two sons and grew up in Malden and Medford, where he attended Medford Vocational High School. As a youth, he was a proud Boy Scout and later gave back as a Scout Leader.

Dana was never one to sit behind a desk. He loved working with his hands and using his creativity. After attending East Coast Aerotech, he moved to Connecticut and began working for Sikorsky. In his early 20s, being part of the team who worked on Black Hawk helicopters as well as a variety of military and commercial aircraft was, as he often said, “a pretty cool experience.”

Eventually, Dana returned to Massachusetts and worked for Flying Tiger, a cargo airline. He enjoyed his work there until, as he would humorously tell it, he “fell from a plane.” For clarity, he fell from the wing of a plane while performing maintenance on it—a story that became one of his favorites to share.

Looking for a new direction, Dana became a sheet metal mechanic. He worked for ASE in Billerica, in which he was building cases for airport X-ray machines. He left and went to work at TMC in Peabody and later joined Sparton Technology Corp. in Hudson, New Hampshire. He began there as a sheet metal mechanic and retired as a quality inspector.

Dana was also exceptionally talented outside of work. There was nothing he couldn’t fix, rebuild, or improve. As a young man, he built his mother a grandmother clock that still stands proudly in her home over 50 years later. He loved working on cars—his first being a 1966 Pontiac Tempest, and later in life, he owned a 1964 Pontiac Tempest. In his younger years, he enjoyed riding motorcycles and always had an eye for flashy cars. His dream was to own a  65 - 67 Shelby Cobra. Around the home, there wasn’t a project too big for him—whether carpentry, electrical, or plumbing, he could do it all. He also loved going to the shooting range with Sharon, his brother and friends.

Dana and his wife Sharon loved camping. For many years, they had a camper at Point Sebago in Maine, They left there to Crown Point in Stafford NH, where they made a wonderful circle of friends. Tired of all the campground rules, they decided to move to Salmon Falls River Resort in Lebanon, Maine. They were the first to make the decision to leave and 7 families left with them at the same time. Dana had been part of the Salmon Falls community for the past 14 years.

He had a great circle of friends at the campground. They enjoyed typical camping activities—campfires, roasts, and socials—but their favorite times were simply sitting together, talking about everything and nothing. He participated in many pot lucks, karaoke, won the campground’s Newly Wed Game. Dana (Rocco) and Sharon (Momma Rosa) were part of the campgrounds mystery dinner for over 100 people. They worked side by side repairing campers, expanding three-season rooms, and tackling any project that kept them busy. They were such regulars at the Home Depot down the road that even the food truck vendor there knew them by name. They truly were a family of friends who supported one another and always had each other’s backs.

Dana liked to portray himself as tough on the outside—but those who knew him best knew he was far from that. Beneath the tough exterior, he was kindhearted and soft inside—a true gentle giant. He served as president of the Revere Chapter of Parents Without Partners for many years. It was at an inter-chapter gathering in which  he met the love of his life and future wife, Sharon Johnson. They have been together for over 30 years and married for 29. Dana and Sharon brought endless joy to each other’s lives, supporting one another through every challenge and celebrating life’s many blessings together.

Dana lived life his way—surrounded by friends, sharing laughter and jokes, always having fun, and loving those around him with his entire heart.

Dana was a beloved husband of Sharon L. Johnson-Hiltz. Dana is survived by his mother Lucille Moister of Malden. He was preceded in death by his father Walter Hiltz, his stepfather Walter Moister, and his son Jeffrey Hiltz. He leaves behind a daughter Sandra Paine and her wife Morgan Paine of Chelmsford and Ryan Johnson & his fiancée Corin Cutter of Farmington, NH.

A brother Keith Hiltz & his wife Cheryl of Wilmington. Grandfather of Cameron Lacroix-Hiltz of Danvers and Jackson Johnson of South Carolina. Nephews Josh Hiltz and his wife Erin of Stoneham, Eric Hiltz and his wife Kelly of Lexington, and Michael Hiltz and his wife Eva of Billerica. A cousin Edith Berry of Everett. He was preceded in death by his son Jeffrey Hiltz.

  Visiting hours will be held at the Edward V. Sullivan Funeral Home, 43 Winn Street, Burlington on Tuesday, Nov. 4 from 4-7 p.m.  Funeral services will be held at the Sullivan Funeral Home on Wednesday, November 5 at 11 a.m. 

 In lieu of flowers, memorials in Dana’s name may be made to the MSPCA-Angel,  www.mspca.org, Attn: Donations

350 South Huntington Ave, Boston, MA 02130. For obituary & video tribute see www.sullivanfuneralhome.net