Dana G. Putnam, 65, died Wednesday, May 17, in Heywood Hospital, Gardner, Mass. He was a well-known auctioneer, owner of Country-Auctions and former elected official in Templeton.

Dana was born in Gardner on July 4, 1940, the son of William D. and Daisy B. (Progen) Putnam, and had lived in Baldwinville for 40 years until moving to Winchendon two years ago.

He was a graduate of the first class of Narragansett Regional High School in 1958 and attended Northeastern University before going to work for the FBI Identification Division in Washington, D.C., for a few years. He then worked for 38 years at General Electric Co. in Fitchburg, ending his career as training coordinator. During his years in Fitchburg, he took a role in his union local, serving as president after being secretary, trustee and shop steward.

Dana was also active in town politics in Templeton, serving in elective office for 25 years, as well as in the Democratic Party on the county and state level, becoming involved in several campaigns. He was elected and represented 13 towns on the county charter commission and also served as a Worcester County Deputy Sheriff. Active in many community affairs, he was a Little League coach, president of Pop Warner, founding member of the Snowbound Club and member of the Otter River Sportsman Club. He was a member of Memorial Congregational Church, Baldwinville.

Dana owned and operated the Putnam Trading Company in Winchendon since 1985, as well as County-Auctions on Route 12 north of Winchendon. His hobbies included fishing, watching the Red Sox and Patriots, as well as his love for trading and attending auctions.

His family said, “Dana was always full of life, enthusiasm and happiness while running his auctions. They were his passion.”

He leaves his wife, Cheryl (Bent) Putnam, whom he married on December 31, 2005; his son, Dana W. and his wife, Lil, their sons, Kyle and Travis of New Windsor, N.Y.; two daughters, Lisa M. Putnam of Branchburg, N.J.; and Leigh A. Craft and her husband, Justin, their sons, Tyler and Jamison of Phillipston, Mass.; a brother, William Putnam and his wife, Hope, of Baldwinsville, as well as several nephews and nieces. His first wife, Elinor (Miettinen) Putnam, died in 2002.

Burial was in Pine Grove Cemetery, Templeton. Memorial donations may be made to the Elinor Putnam Memorial Fund, care of Athol Savings Bank, 50 Elm Street, Baldwinville MA 01436.