Dana Isaacs

Dana Russell Isaacs, age 73, passed away in his home on Monday, October 20th.

A Celebration of Life for Dana will be held at 5:00 p.m. on Friday, November 14, 2025, at Willie's Restaurant (Hidden Harbor Marina), 388 9th Avenue, St. Paul Park. The event will take place on the second level, featuring live music by Dana's lifelong bandmates in his honor.

Dana was born December 26th, 1951, in Saint Paul to Lorain Marion Isaacs (Gagnier) and Warren Isaacs. He was a graduate of Park Senior High School in 1969. Dana Russell Isaacs grew up on Grey Cloud Island and spent his entire life nearby in St. Paul Park. He and his brother Bert were the legends at the root of all the wild stories from their time — racing cars around Grey Cloud, tearing across Pool 2 racing boats on the Mississippi with their friends, and constantly finding creative ways to make an extra buck. Their ideas weren’t about getting rich; they were about seeing if they could pull it off. Whatever the hairbrained scheme of the moment was, they dove in headfirst — coloring outside the lines simply because they could.

From innovative boat deals in St. Thomas to burying treasures along the Mississippi and St. Croix Rivers, Dana and Bert were the true river pirates of their generation.

As a teenager, Dana met Mary Beth Lynch, and together they built a family of four boys — each carrying a little bit of Dana and Bert’s adventurous spark. That next generation of Isaacs boys kept the family torch burning bright with their own stories, shenanigans, and love of being the life of the social gathering.

Dana and Mary opened the Island Plaza Bar near their home, where Dana’s many bands — Stone Broke and his other bands entertained — playing for family and friends. Those same friends could often be found out on the river, gathered at their favorite island (828), throwing legendary parties and making memories that would last a lifetime.

The winds of change brought Mary and the boys to St. Cloud while Dana built a life with his eternal soulmate, Cynthia “Cindy” Isaacs (Schwarzbauer). They married in 1990 and shared a beautiful, simple life together — one centered around the word “Simplify,” proudly displayed throughout their home and gardens.

Dana was a lifelong marine mechanic and a true problem solver — known and respected by thousands of boaters over his 55-year career. He spent much of his life at Willie’s Hidden Harbor, helping shape it into the thriving boating community it became in the ’80s and ’90s. Later, he launched Dana Marine, a mobile marine service that operated right out of his truck, with home bases at several marinas including St. Paul Yacht Club, Twin City Marina, and River Heights Marina.

He will be deeply missed by family, friends, fellow musicians, boaters, and neighbors — all of whom were touched by his kindness, his stories, and his one-of-a-kind spirit. Dana leaves behind a legacy that will never be forgotten.

Survivors include his sons, Donovan “Dono” (Dawn) Isaacs of Fort Collins, CO, James “Jimbob” Isaacs of Park Rapids, and Daniel “Danny” Isaacs of St. Michael; sister, Ginger of Mesa, AZ; grandchildren Dayton, Maurissa, Jackson, Cole, Noah, Finn, Matthew, Piper and many nieces, nephews, relatives and friends.

Dana was preceded in death by his wife Cynthia “Cindy” Isaacs (Schwartzbauer); parents, Warren & Lorain Isaacs; brothers, Warren “Bert” Isaacs, Allan Isaacs; son, David “Dave” Isaacs; grandson, Dane Isaacs.