The Celebration of Life for Dan Masich of Davidson was held Monday, May 13th, 2019 at the Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Davidson, SK.  Family and friends gathered to honour and remember a kind gentleman, one who greeted everyone with a warm smile and a genuine, “How are you?”.

Dan’s story is all about f words – that is family, farm, faith and friends.

Dan was born on the family farm near Bladworth, on January 10th, 1932 to Croatian parents Joseph and Mary (Balen).  He was the third of seven children.  Dan walked or went by buggy or sleigh to Rockwood school north of Bladworth, completing grade eight and earning excellent grades. He completed grade ten at Bladworth School #1491.  In 1948 after a tornado destroyed the Bladworth homestead the family moved to the Davidson district settling just south of Star School on Highway 44. Eventually Dan and his older brother Joe farmed together, with seasonal help from Larry (Saskatoon), John (Nipawin, Prince Albert), Kay (Saskatoon), Josephine (Saskatoon), Emilie (Victoria) and their families. Dan retired from active farming in 2013 (but not the farm!) and rented the land to the younger generation of neighbours.  In 1980 the Bladworth land received the Family Farm Heritage Award to honour the SE ¼ 23 28 2 W3 continuously operated by the Masich family since 1917.

Dan was a man of faith. He was a member of the Knights of Columbus since 1963 and received the Knights 50 Year Charter Member award in 2013. He was the Grand Knight in 1988, followed by Past Grand Knight and numerous other Offices of the Order; church choir member in the 1970’s; certified Minister of the Eucharist in 1985; Chairman of the Sacred Heart Parish Council from 1987-1991. In the mid 50’s Dan and his brother Joe volunteered to help build Davidson’s new Sacred Heart Church.

Throughout the years Dan received numerous certificates of recognition for his service to the Community making many Friends along the way. He served the Davidson Credit Union as Director for 7 years from 1968-1974; was a Board member of the Davidson Co-op; received a Certificate of Recognition from the Saskatchewan Wheat Pool for 30 years as a Saskatchewan Wheat Pool Committee Member; assisted with the Boy Scouts in Davidson in 1981 and 1982; has been a supporter of the Central Saskatchewan Music Festival since 1975.

Although farming was a full time job, Dan still made time to dance! He and his wife Elaine taught social ballroom dancing for the Community College and as Round Dance Instructors were on staff at three International Square and Round dance Conventions. Together they were Leaders of Carousel Dance Club #177 from 1985 to 2016.

Dan was predeceased by his parents Joseph and Mary, his brother Joe, sisters Kathleen (Harry Meints) and Josephine (Frank Duchscher).  He is loved and missed by his brothers John (Ivy Trevena), Larry (Charleen Hartman), sister Emilie (Robert Dougans), his wife Elaine, children Theo (Sylvie Hammond), daughter Jennifer (Kevin Torgerson), five grandchildren, numerous nieces and nephews.

Thanks to everyone who participated in or attended the Celebration, to everyone who sent words of encouragement, prayers, cards, gifts of food, to everyone who shared their memories of Dan, to everyone who offered their time and effort should we need anything.  All is a testimony to a life well lived and to the many fine people who had a connection to Dan.

Dan Masich, January 10th, 1932 – May 8th, 2019

God has you in his keeping, we keep you in our hearts.