The funniest, most caring, loving, and artistic soul ever. Best friend to all.
Dane was an amazing, kind, and caring soul. He was a loving son, brother, father, and boyfriend and quickly became a treasured friend to everyone he met. He was generous to all and helped others to feel and do better. Dane was passionate about nature, art, and especially his family. He loved animals and bird watching and taught what he knew to his two brothers, Randy and Mitchell. The brothers were close and loved to get together to cook, laugh, and create new dishes. “Losing Dane was especially hard for his brothers. He was their leader and mentor,” his mom, Cheryl, stated.
Dane was an artist his entire life. When he was little, all he needed to be happy was a paper and pencil. As an adult, he enjoyed making his living for 20 years as a tattoo artist. He was a perfectionist in his work and taught his youngest brother how to tattoo. He spent his free time creating sculptures by upcycling everyday found items.
Dane loved deeply and completely. He was loyal and had several long-term relationships. He especially loved his daughter, Lane Marie, now 18. “It was Dane’s dream to see his baby graduate. It will be a hard day for us without him,” Cheryl said.
After receiving treatment, Dane wanted to help others with substance use disorder through counseling them and running a sober house. Though he never completed a course he said, “I have had the most expensive addiction education ever, I know what these people are going through.” His mom said, “He helped anyone he could to seek treatment, though he wasn’t successful with his own addiction.”
Dane never went anywhere alone. “This was true even in his death,” his mom said. “He and his friend both died from fentanyl poisoning after a night of heavy drinking. Both had been in treatment and had been doing well, but whatever made them decide to use that night, killed them. It was unimaginable to grieve for two. The disease never stops enticing people, it calls to people; just this once, it says, drugs lie and consume those who use them.” Dane’s death created an outpouring of love from the many people he knew. People spoke at his service about how he played a key role in their recovery. He continues to be looked up to in his community.
Cheryl misses being able to call Dane and tell him about a cool bird she saw or share a laugh with him. “Every day was the best day when you were with Dane, he made sure of it,” she said. “I am always ready to speak about this disease and how my son died. I want people to know how this is destroying an entire generation. The stigma can only be removed by exposure. People need to know that substance use disorder kills people from all walks of life, all ages, genders, and races. It is devastating to those who use it and those who love them. The pain is excruciating for all, and it never stops hurting.”
Dane’s mother, Cheryl Canter, provided the information for this narrative.
August 31, 1981-August 12, 2020
Age 38-Lived with the disease of addiction 15 years
