Dana Howard Sweet of Cambridge, Vermont passed away peacefully on June 27, 2026, with his loving wife, partner, and best friend, Jennifer, by his side. Dana was diagnosed with inoperable pancreatic cancer in March of 2026.

Dana was born on April 22, 1946, in Burlington, Vermont, the son of Ray H. Sweet and Esther C. Sweet of Fletcher, Vermont. He graduated from Cambridge High School in 1964 and went on to join the U.S. Marine Corps in 1965. Dana served with honor in Vietnam and was honorably discharged in 1971 at the rank of Sergeant. He was incredibly proud of his work ethic, his time in the service, and he took Semper Fi very seriously.

When Dana returned home, he worked briefly for General Electric in Burlington, Vermont, before deciding to carve his own path. He purchased a local hauler trash route, established his own business, and also ran the Town of Cambridge dump from 1971 until 1995. In 1973, he married Patty Ready, and together they had two sons, Matthew J. Sweet and Andrew H. Sweet.

Following his divorce from Patty, Dana met and married Jennifer Crisp Nadeau, who brought her two daughters, Nichole J. Nadeau and Alicia H. Nadeau, into his life. Embracing their new beginning, they lovingly referred to their combined family as "The Brady Bunch." Dana and Jennifer also became true business partners. They changed the name of the rubbish company to Dana H. Sweet Enterprises, later transitioning it to Dana H. Sweet Corp., and spent decades successfully building the business together while raising their children and maintaining their beautiful homestead on Sweet Landing.

Dana loved his trucking career, took deep pride in his business, and thoroughly enjoyed visiting all his farmer customers and friends. He was a gruff, hardworking man with a unique sense of humor and a big, soft heart. He was always quick to laugh at himself, and whenever he wanted to avoid getting into trouble, he would playfully rely on his famous phrase: “I know nothing.”

Beyond his business, Dana loved the Town of Cambridge deeply and dedicated decades of his life to its service. He carved out time to serve on the Town of Cambridge Selectboard from 1989 to 2024, and lent his expertise to the Flood Management Commission and the Lamoille Solid Waste District Board. He was named Grand Marshal of the 4th of July parade in 2010 and received the David Marvin Award for service to his community in 2018. Dana was so well-liked and respected by everyone who knew him that in 2021, the Town of Cambridge dedicated their new Town Garage in his honor, proudly displaying his name on the front of the building.

Dana was predeceased by his parents, Ray and Esther Sweet; his brother, Naham Sweet, and Naham’s wife, Brenda; his nephew, Shawn Sweet; and his brother-in-law, John O. Hitchcock. He is survived and deeply missed by his sister, Bonnie S. Hitchcock; his brother, Eric Sweet and his wife, Aline; his brother, Robin Sweet and his wife, Lynda; and his sister, Candace Morey and her husband, Bill.

He leaves behind his beloved "Sweetpea," Jennifer; his sons, Matthew Sweet and his wife, Susan, and Andrew Sweet and his wife, Monica; and his daughters, Nichole J. Nadeau Walton, Alicia Nadeau and sister in-law Leslie Martin. He was also incredibly proud of his grandchildren: Ella Nadeau (“Pumpkin”), Noah Walton, William Walton, Auston Walton, Nathan Sweet and his wife, Selena, Sarah Sweet Reyes and her husband, Raul, Lucas Sweet, Hannah Ainsworth, and Emma Ainsworth Russell. Sadly, Dana did not get to meet his great-grandchildren in person: Damian, Sabrina, and Eloise, who are the children of Nathan and Selena Sweet. There are countless people who existed in Dana’s world—nieces, nephews, business associates, neighbors, and lifelong friends.

Service and Memorial Information

A memorial service is being planned for August 29th of this year 1:00 pm to 4:00 pm. This will be held at the loving homestead on Sweet Landing, the home of Dana and Jennifer.

In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made in Dana’s memory to:

● Cambridge Food Shelf

● Cambridge Rescue