Daniel Arthur Salahub

Daniel Salahub was born on June 6, 1945 in Kamsack, Saskatchewan. A son of John and Mary (nee Malinosky) Salahub. Daniel lived on the farm around the Two Creeks District, where he tended to the animals and worked hard during harvest, even driving a combine at the age of 8 years old. He went to school in Kamsack until grade 9 and at that time he left the farm and went to work at the Creamery and as a farm hand. At the age of 18 the “Oil Patch” was his next work destination, the work was hard but there were many enjoyable memories during this time.

In 1966 Dan and Linda (nee Sarafincian) met through Dan’s cousin Sharon McCalla, in Regina. Linda and Sharon were attending hairdressing school together. Dan and Linda dated for a year before getting engaged in December 1966.

Dan and Linda were married on November 10, 1967. They were blessed with 5 children - Ashley (May 1968), Andrea (June 1969), Avery (August 1970), Adrian (January 1975) and Amber (February 1981).

As Dan started to have a family of his own, he worried about his children and what the future would hold for them. He recalled his childhood and the Bible principles his parents taught him, and the hope the Bible gives for a better future. Dan and Linda came into contact with Jehovah’s Witnesses and began studying the Bible. Learning about the prospects of living in a perfect world that our Creator originally intended for all of us on earth. That's what Dan wanted for his family!

However, during this busy and happy time of their early married years Dan became ill with a debilitating virus, similar to Polio. He became paralyzed and lost the use of his legs. What would the future hold for him, Linda and his young family?

Help was found through family and friends in the congregation, like Uncle Terry Acker, Lyle Paulson and Leonard Funk. They supported Dan during these trying circumstances. They carried Dan up and down flights of stairs to his medical/chiropractor appointments. Encouraging Dan and Linda by helping with the care of their 3 young children. The display of love shown to Dan, Linda and the kids will always be a fond memory. Never forgotten and always talked about with genuine gratitude towards all the friends. With hard work, determination and will-power Dan taught himself to walk again.

Dan’s focus in life became his worship and service of Jehovah God. He was baptized as one of Jehovah’s Witnesses in July 1971. Dan and Linda dedicated their lives to Jehovah together.

Now dealing with life changing circumstances, Dan had to think about how he was going to support his family. He had to make a big career change, Dan learned the trade of mechanical estimating. This involved bidding on mega projects. Pricing everything from the nuts and bolts and doing the math required for a project. Dan had a natural ability and excelled in this field – he had found a new career that he liked and he would be able to support his family. Over his career, as a mechanical estimator, Dan worked for Dominion Bridge, PCL, Gold Sky Enterprises and Ledcor.

Dan & Linda moved to Saskatoon SK in June 1976 and then to Edmonton AB in December 1979.

Dan was a spiritual man and was appointed as an elder in the congregation in 1982. A responsibility he took very seriously and treasured. Dan was always involved in volunteer construction projects like Kingdom Hall renovations. He designed and built the sound cabinet that is still in use at the Millwoods Kingdom Hall. He also worked on “quick builds” Kingdom Halls (2-3 day completion) where he would work on installing plumbing, heating and vacuum systems. Dan found this work very satisfying, even with his limited mobility. He never complained or gave up, working hard to complete the task at hand.

Another joy Dan experienced was the privilege he had of being a congregation Bible Study conductor - studying the Bible together with the friends and going in the ministry – building lifelong friendships that he valued and he held near and dear to his heart. Very recently he shared stories of his friends and the close bonds of love of those in the congregation. Dan loved his new assignment in more recent years, of cart witnessing. Dan was wheelchair bound and this form of preaching work was better suited to his circumstances. Setting up his display cart by the bank - he would talk to many people about Jehovah’s promise for a better future - where no one will be sick or confined to a wheelchair; where everyone would have perfect health – that hope was so real to Dan. He lived his life with that hope in his mind and heart - that he would one day, walk again, run again and dance up a storm!

One of Dan’s favorite hobbies was woodworking - he loved looking for new patterns and projects - drawing out the details of what needed to be done. He felt great accomplishment for completed projects - especially the wooden trucks and cars. Grandpa Dan and grandson Mackenzie would spend hours and hours playing together with the wooden cars on the living room floor.

He also loved music (Dan was a little bit country and Linda was a little bit rock-n-roll) and DJ’ing weddings. He was fondly known as “Dan the Music Man ''. Making beautiful memories with fun music for many brides and grooms and their families. Dan always wanted to learn to play a musical instrument, but could never decide on one. You could always see him keeping an offbeat with his hand on his knee.

Dan loved watching hockey and baseball. All the kids remember lying on the living room floor, using dad’s stomach as a pillow watching the Edmonton Oilers or the Toronto Blue Jays. Fans of hockey and baseball all the family have become. He enjoyed the family chat, set up to cheer and boo together during games.

Dan was planning on retiring in June 2010, however, a heart attack in December 2009 and quadruple open heart surgery in January 2010 changed that retirement date. Dan and Linda moved to Duncan BC. Arriving in “almost paradise” on June 14, 2010. Enjoying the beautiful surroundings and a retirement without ice, snow and -30 degree winters. Dan loved sitting in his chair - enjoying the view - playing solitaire on his phone and working on his computer.

Dan loved his “medicine”, his Tim Horton’s coffee - with 2 cream. He always looked forward to his daily dose of “medicine”. Especially if one of the kids or grandkids popped in to share some “medicine” and an apple fritter!!

Dan was infamous for watching TV with his eyes closed making it impossible for the kids to change the channel. He was also the keeper of the cookie jar - waking up saying… “your mother will be home soon”....

Even through the challenges and discouraging times, he always focused on the positive things of life. He thanked his Creator daily for the gift of life, and especially for his loving wife, Linda.

She cared for his daily needs, faithfully by his side for 55 years. Even when Dan suffered a major stroke in December 2014 and had to go into full-time care in June 2021, she never gave up or complained. Linda was committed to Dan - in sickness and in health, she was his caring, loving, life-long partner.

Throughout their marriage they set a great example for their children. When Dan would come home from work, like clockwork at 5:00 pm everyday, the first thing he would do was give Linda a big bear hug and a kiss. They always held hands, a true display of love between a husband and wife.

Dan was predeceased by his father, John in 1986, mother, Mary in 1989 and brother Wilfred (Alfred) in 2016. He is survived by his wife of 55 years Linda, his son, Ashley, daughter, Andrea (Trent), son, Avery (Justine), son, Adrian (Angela) and daughter, Amber, granddaughter, Taylar, grandson, Mackenzie (Teresa) and grandson, Aaron, sister, Verna and brother, Ivan (Joanne) and numerous nephews and nieces.

Dan was a man of few words, quiet, humble, determined, smart, hardworking, loving and kind.

Dan had a “dad joke” sense of humor and he laughed at his own jokes. His granddaughter,

Taylar, loves telling dad jokes daily just like her Grandpa. He was a generous and hospitable man, and anyone who came to visit felt at home. Dan was a wonderful example of a God-fearing man, faithful until the end.

He will be dearly missed by all those who knew and loved him, especially by his loving family.

They are awaiting the promise from our Heavenly Father to be fulfilled. “And he will wipe out every tear from their eyes, and death will be no more, neither will mourning nor outcry nor pain be anymore. The former things have passed away.” Revelation 21:4

On behalf of the Salahub family, we thank you sincerely for sharing our sorrow. Your comfort and support is greatly appreciated.