Daniel “Dan” A. Defazio

It is with deepest sadness that we share, the family announce the passing of Daniel “Dan” A. Defazio on Tuesday January 6, 2026, at the Charlotte County Hospital St. Stephen, NB.

Born in St Stephen February 1973 to the late Ernest and Anna (Shanks) Defazio.

Dan often told stories of growing up in Heathland, NB with the Smith and Holmes boys.  Of course, all the stories would make him laugh no matter how many times he told them.  To say the least, those parents had their hands full.

Dan met Donita Russell when she was 12 years old.  He saw her at school, followed her bus to her house one day driving his little scooter, he stopped and asked if she wanted to go fishing down at the channel block.  Many times, Donita said “no” and would walk inside.   Dan did this everyday for a little over a month.  One day Donita was getting off the bus and her bus driver, Norman Pomeroy, said “there’s that Defazio boy again.  Are you ever going to go fishing?”.  Donita looked at Dan waiting on his scooter, looked back at Norm, and said “Yeah, I just might today”.  This is the day that the “true love” started, May 21, 1988.

Both attending St. Stephen High School, St. Stephen, NB, they both welcomed a baby boy in 1990.  We were still children ourselves.

Dan worked in his father’s body shop, Ernie’s Auto Body, after school making $50 a week.  That was enough for diapers and Dan would always take Donita and baby out for supper each week.

June of 1992, both at 18 years old with a 1 ½ year old baby at their side, they graduated from St Stephen High School and got their first apartment.  Dan worked full time in his father’s body shop to make ends meet.

Christmas of 1994 their family grew, a beautiful little girl came on Christmas morning.  By 1996, on Father’s Day another baby boy was born and just like that this family of five was ready to grow together.

In the early 2000’s Dan, Donita and babies started making roots at 1419 Little Ridge Road, Little Ridge, NB.   A big old farmhouse on 36 acres with an old camp on the St. Croix River and together they made this house a “home”.

Eighteen years after their first fishing trip, May 21, 2005, they were married and just like that they were all “Defazio”.

Dan’s work ethic, definitely came from his dad.   One way or another he was earning money to provide for his family.  From early morning until late hours of the night, you can bet that there was lights on in the garage.  But by Friday night at 5, everything was packed up and they were off to their camp to make memories.

From fishing tournaments, hunting trips, Christmas in July, New Year’s Eve, and sometimes just a Buddy’s weekend that lasted all week long.  Dan had said many times in his life, “it was the greatest life ever”.

When Dan’s dad passed away, Dan started working at Downey Ford, St. Stephen, NB., learning from the great Ron Hastey.   When you heard Dan talk about his dad it was with extreme respect and you can guarantee he had the same respect learning from Ron.   Dan always said, “The man doesn’t say much, but he gets his point across.”

In 2009, a beautiful baby boy came into their lives.  At 6 months old this baby needed them as much as they needed him, without blinking they became “Nanny & Pup” and of course Dan was the best “Pup” ever.  At age 3, Jamison moved to Moncton to be with his mom. Although their world was turned upside down, that was the best decision his mom could have ever made and knowing they had a hand in making this boy who he is today, made it all worth it.  Dan said everyday how proud he was of Kirsten turning out to be a great mom.

In 2014, they bought their forever home in Old Ridge, NB.  They wanted to be closer to town.   Their three kids had graduated and moved on with lives of their own.  With that decision, they sold the ground and camp in Little Ridge, NB to build a garage beside their forever home.   With grand babies pouring in, their time was well spent with them.

After 16 years at Downey Ford, Dan finally felt secure enough to know that he could do it on his own.  We then opened "D&D Autobody" in August of 2020.  It was then that he finally thought “Yeah, my dad is proud.”

Most people think D&D stands for Dan and Donita, but it has and always will be Dan and Drey.

In December of 2021 Dans health started declining fast!  Long story short, one thing leading to another and all of it working against the other.  Surgeries, hospital stays, ER visits, dialysis every two days, strokes and a pacemaker, it was a lot.  But not once did he ever give up.   Not once did he say he can’t.  Not once did he let it depress him.  He still did everything every single day that he wanted to do, just now it was with the help of someone.  Usually that someone was his grandson, Dreyden.  There’s nothing those two boys didn’t share together.   The bond they had is a bond that we can only wish to have with someone. They were inseparable and would always be scheming something up together.  When Dreyden’s mom was asked if she knew about it, you could guarantee she didn’t.   After videoing every night with Dreyden, Dan would always hang up and say, “That boy sure loves his Bup!”

No matter where Dan went, he met friends who became family.  Especially his motorcycle and ski-dooing buddies.

Dan is survived by his beloved, devoted wife of 38 years, Donita (Russell), his three children; Chad, Katelynn, and Bradlee (Makayla) all of St. Stephen, NB and one chosen child Kirsten (Daniel) of Shediac NB., their seven precious grandchildren; Jamison, Dreyden, Gunner, Sylus, Sirenna, Jaxton, and Danni-Lynn,  his special family dog, Bruno, three brothers; David of St. Stephen, Paul (Heather) of Woodstock NB, and Royden (Bobby) of Nova Scotia, two brothers-in-law; Joe Keenan of St. Stephen, NB and Joe Henry of Upper Mills, NB., father-in-law; Don Russell of St. Stephen, NB, several aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews and cousins.

In addition to his parents, Dan was predeceased by his sisters; Kim Defazio and Patty Keenan, brother; Nicky, sister-in-law; Stacey Defazio (Gullison), brother-in- law; Frank Henry, mother- in- law; Helena Wry and son-in- law; Chris Hanley.  As well as many aunts and uncles that Dan held a very close bond with.

In keeping with Dan’s wishes, there will be a Celebration of Life “the Defazio Way” will be held at a later date.

We have a very special place in our hearts for his dialysis family at CCH.  He had so much respect for you and his family will forever be grateful.  Anita, “thank you” for being you.

To our ER staff at CCH and St Stephen Extra Mural, every single one of you, be proud of who you are.  Your jobs aren’t easy.  Much respect for each of you.

A special appreciation for Dr. Forgeron, Dr. Bewick, Dr. Andreani, Dr. McKinnon, Dr. Pippy, Dr. Acheson and so many others.  There just aren’t enough words.

Dan spent everyday wondering if his dad was proud.  Whether it was perfecting the perfect paint job or perfecting his old man’s spaghetti.   Every decision Dan made depended on what his father would think.

The father, the Bup, the husband, the friend and the painter.  He was the “Best”.

We have lost a “legend”.

Donations in Dan’s memory, can be made to Dialysis Unit at Charlotte County Hospital.  Condolences can be made to the family online at mehanfuneralhome.ca

“I was gonna be your forever and you were gonna be my wife.  We didn’t know any better, didn’t have a clue about life.  But I was what you wanted and you were what I needed and we could meet in between.  We were gonna be the greatest love story this town had ever seen.”