Dana Balesdent Jr.

We are saddened and absolutely heartbroken to share the sudden passing of Dana Andrew Valentine Balesdent Jr. on Tuesday, January 9th, 2024, at the age of 42, unexpectedly after a tragic sudden illness. What began as an ear infection escalated quickly when bacteria entered Dana’s skull, the Doctors believe through a perforated eardrum. The aggressive bacteria caused catastrophic brain damage that Dana was unable to recover from. Within 18 hours this all progressed and Dana had passed peacefully surrounded by his wife, dad, stepmom and mother and father-in-law.

He was a cherished son to the late Wendy Balesdent and Dana Balesdent Sr. (surviving) and step-mom Angie Balesdent (surviving). Beloved grandson of the late Bob and Elaine Balesdent and Artie Leggett and surviving gramma Maureen Bartels. A big brother to Joey Balesdent and Jamie Moore. A wonderful son-in-law to Kim and Dennis Yakaback, a protective and doting uncle to Leo and Rorey Johnston and brother-in-law to Cali and Tanner Johnston. He was a special nephew to Cheryl Leggett and will be missed by many other Aunts and Uncles and cousins out west and out east and life-long friendships he maintained throughout his life. His most important roles to date were incredible husband and provider to his wife Melissa Yakaback of 13 years and proud and “best dad ever” to Isla, Nash and Coen Balesdent. He loved his family more than anything and took pride in the life he built and continued to build.

Dana grew up in Kingston, ON where he first fell in love with cooking and excelled in the kitchen as a Red Seal Chef. He spent lots of time creating dishes for some of the best restaurants in Kingston while teaching his skills to culinary students at St. Lawrence College. 

After deciding to make a big move and career change, Dana and his wife and kids moved to Carleton Place in the Ottawa Valley where he started working as a signal maintainer for Siemens. He loved trains and being on the railroad and for someone who traded in his chef’s knives for a hard hat on the railroad with absolutely no experience, he trained and excelled in his new career. He loved getting into his big Ford truck every morning and heading out to his sites for the day.

Dana was an incredible human being. He was easy going, embraced life to the fullest and was always up for a bonfire and cold beer. He loved the outdoors, cutting down trees for firewood, ripping around on his 4 wheeler and cutting the lawn with his John Deere while the kids sat on his lap. He was caring, loyal and would drop anything to help someone. You couldn’t help but drop your guard when you were around him because he just made you feel at ease. If there was ever a person pictured beside the word “neighbourly” in the dictionary, it would be Dana.

We want to thank all of the doctors and nurses at Carleton Place Hospital, The Ottawa General and Civic for their compassion and trying absolutely everything to save Dana.

A private visitation will take place in Carleton Place, ON with a Celebration of Life to follow at a later date.

There is a Go Fund Me page available at https://www.gofundme.com/f/support-for-dana-balesdents-family?utm_campaign=p_lico+share-sheet-first-launch&utm_medium=copy_link&utm_source=customer

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