Vinton Public Works employee Kevin Alan Daining passed away on January 21. He was remembered by Vinton Town Council at its meeting on February 21 with a resolution, a plaque, and the presentation of his photograph to members of his family.

The original photograph, taken by Vinton photographer Barry Brooks, hangs in the lobby of the Vinton Municipal Building and was taken at the Tinker Creek Canoe Launch on Third Street. Daining loved boating and all things outdoors. The photograph also appeared in the 2016 Vinton Town Calendar for the month of September. The plaque has been affixed to the photograph.

The resolution in memory of his service to the Town of Vinton will become a permanent part of the town record.

The resolution states in part that Daining was a beloved husband, son, brother, friend, and father. He loved the outdoors– hunting, fishing, hiking, and “especially his canoe.” He faithfully served the citizens of the Town of Vinton and the Public Works Department since 2013. “He was a very capable and trustworthy employee and faithful in his performance of his duties and will be missed by his co-workers, as well as those he served.”

Public Works Director Joey Hiner says that Daining’s title with the department was Water System Operator III.

“Working directly under Mike Faw, the Deputy Director of Utility Services, Kevin oversaw daily operations of the town’s wells, tanks and distribution system,” explained Hiner. “That job covers a number of responsibilities, some of which are seeing that the pumps are running properly; chlorination; water quality and system flushing; maintenance of well-sites, tank sites, pressure regulators; marking water lines for Miss Utilities tickets; water sampling, testing and reporting to the Virginia Department of Health Office of Water Programs; and keeping up with the State and Federal standards and regulations for waterworks operations.

“Kevin was in the rotation of Public Works’ primary on-call personnel, which means that every sixth week he was the person that received the calls for after hours and weekend situations, which could range from a tree limb in the street or a road sign knocked down, to sewer checks and water breaks, and any other unusual occurrence that is reported,” noted Hiner.

“Kevin came to this position in Public Works with a water operator license and years of experience in utilities,” said Hiner. “As a Vinton resident, he was already familiar with the area so he was able to adapt quickly to the job. His overall attitude made him great to work beside and easy to be friends with. He was quick with a laugh, even at the corniest of jokes.”

Daining passed away while hiking with friends. He was born in Ellsworth, Mich. in 1969, the son of the late Wayne and Sue Daining. He was devoted to his family and is survived by his wife of 18 years, Nicole Carcella Daining; two daughters, Natalie “Nat” Ann Daining and Savannah Leigh Daining; three brothers, Brian Daining (Rhonda), Dave Daining (Reva), and Doug Daining (Leeann); sister Rebecca “Becky” Edwards (Tommy), parents-in-law, Richard and Carol Carcella, and numerous other family members and friends.