Dana Ray Bachiochi, 64, of Happy Valley died on Monday, Jan. 5, 2015, in his home. A Funeral Mass will be held at 1 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 24, 2015, at St. Peter the Apostle Catholic Church (just north of the fairgrounds on Sterling Highway), with Father Bob officiating.
Dana was born Monday, Oct. 16, 1950, to Raphael (Ray) and Marilyn (Caywood) Bachiochi in Stafford Springs, Conn., where he graduated, taught and eventually retired from teaching.
He received his master’s degree in art education and audio/video production and taught for 35 years in his home town of Stafford Springs before retiring in 2007 after suffering a stroke. In 2008, he moved to Alaska, living for a short time in Anchor Point.
After his stroke he said, “I have been humbled.” He prayed that God would give him another chance to live and he put up a good fight on the road to recovery, constantly doing things that were thought impossible.
A consummate volunteer, he was constantly giving. He was a member of the Lions Club, Rotary International, Knights of Columbus, St. Edward’s Catholic Church in Stafford, St. Peter’s Catholic Church in Ninilchik, the Italian Club and Stafford Arts Commission. He led Boy Scout, Cub Scout and Girl Scout troops in Connecticut and Alaska as well as volunteered with Chapman School, Stafford Fish and Game, Alaska Prison Ministries, Anchor Point Chamber of Commerce and the Food Bank in Anchor Point. He started Mini Kickers soccer in Stafford and was the high school set designer for 35 years.
Dana enjoyed Bible study, swimming, baseball, football, painting, pottery, gardening, horseback riding, kayaking and fishing for halibut and salmon. He loved cooking for large groups and made amazing spaghetti sauce. He loved the outdoors, camping and spending time with his family and friends. Dana even found time to run two New York City marathons.
Dana’s family said, “He always had a twinkle in his eyes, no matter what life brought his way; he always looked at the glass half full. He was kind to everyone and everything, always putting others before himself. Dana did not have a mean bone in his body and was very compassionate and forgiving. He enjoyed working with kids, enjoying ‘the light bulb turning on.’ His tenacity and passion for life, God and family was an example of how to live. The hole that he has left in the heart of his wife and people that had a chance to know him will never be filled.”
He was preceded in death by his mother, Marilyn.
Dana is survived by his loving wife, Gilberte (Gibby) Bachiochi; sons, Matthew and wife, Kat, of New York City and Mark of Stafford, Conn.; daughter, Kelley and husband, Eddie Chollett, of Paris, France; step-daughters, Echo Paixcio of Salt Lake City and Allie and husband, Eric Schaff, of Texas; father, Ray, of Stafford, Conn.; grandchildren, Connor, Owen and Luke Bachiochi, Mathis and Aiden Chollett and Noah and Benjamin Schaff; sister, Realyn Skelly of Stafford Springs; uncle, Dick Bachiochi and wife, Loraine, of Florida, and many cousins all over the country.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be given to the family at P.O. Box 39603 Ninilchik, AK 99639. Visit Dana’s online obituary and sign his guestbook at www.alaskanfuneral.com.
